Differential molecular genetic and protein expression profile in breast fibroepithelial lesions progression

• Grant number: 11/06390-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2011
• End date: October 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Pathological Anatomy and Clinical Pathology
• Principal Investigator: Angela Flávia Logullo Waitzberg
• Grantee: Angela Flávia Logullo Waitzberg
• Host Institution: A C Camargo Cancer Center. Fundação Antonio Prudente (FAP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Epithelial - mesenchymal transition (EMT) and communication are necessary to normal development and function of mammary gland. Disfuncional cellular interaction are described in carcinogenesis. Biphasic (epithelial and stromal) tumors are unique entities for EMT assessment. Fibroadenomas (FA) and Phyllodes Tumors (PT) are the most common fibroepithelial breast lesions and, although rare, PT shows high recurrence rate. Some genetic pathways and gene rearrangements have been described in PT etiology (Wnt pathway, cell cycle proteins, tyrosine-kinase receptors) but little is known about the differential genomic profile of each cellular component. Apparently stromal component of PTs shows cell cycle deregulation while epithelial component maintains without major alterations. However, intrinsic interactions between both compartments may induce stromal and epithelial autonomous overgrowing. It is yet to be determined how this process would be initiated and with compartment is deregulated. Therefore, our aim is to evaluate comparatively the genetic expression of both epithelial and stromal components of PT and FA using microarray technique with further protein analysis by immunohistochemical evaluation of deregulated genes identified. (AU)