Correlation between Wnt pathway and colorectal cancer recurence using protein, mRNA and microRNA analysis

• Grant number: 07/01828-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2007
• End date: July 31, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Renata de Almeida Coudry
• Grantee: Renata de Almeida Coudry
• Host Institution: Hospital A C Camargo. Fundação Antonio Prudente (FAP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Wnt pathway is involved in differentiation and proliferation of colonic epithelial cells and plays an important role in colorectal carcinogenesis. However, only a few studies have focused solely on the correlation of this pathway with potential of predicting recurrence in colorectal cancer. The goal of this study is to evaluate several members of the Wnt pathway, such as Wnt proteins, Wnt receptors, proteins of the APC/beta-catenin complex, transcription factors and downstream proteins, and try to correlate them with high risk to form distant metastases. Wnt signaling proteins will be evaluated using immunohistochemistry and messenger RNA levels through Real-Time PCR. In addition, we will evaluate mature microRNAs that play a regulatory role by repressing translation or cleaving RNA transcripts, also by RT-PCR. This study will be performed utilizing fresh frozen colorectal cancer samples available in our tumor bank (since 2000 to 2006) from patients operated for colorectal tumors stage I, II and III that had surgery as the only form of treatment to compare those with and without recurrence.This study can identify molecular markers with capability to predict outcome after surgery and guide adjuvant chemotherapy. (AU)