Exploring the exome of salivary mucoepidermoid carcinoma in search of more accurate prognostic markers

• Grant number: 14/07249-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2014
• End date: July 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Pathological Anatomy and Clinical Pathology
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Paulo Kowalski
• Grantee: Luiz Paulo Kowalski
• Host Institution: A C Camargo Cancer Center. Fundação Antonio Prudente (FAP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Diana Noronha Nunes ; Emmanuel Dias-Neto

Abstract

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of salivary gland (CMGS) have a great variability in thebiological behavior and its treatment depends both clinical and pathological prognosticfactors. One the most well-established prognostic factors for CMGS is the histological gradeof malignancy, which represents the morphological grading of tumor biologicalcharacteristics, despite its subjectivity, has proved to be important in determining tumorbehavior. However, some of these tumors are classified as intermediate grade - aheterogeneous group where the behavior can be similar to low-grade, or aggressive as highgradetumors. Clearly , the traditional parameters based on morphological characteristics ofthe cells and tissues are not accurate enough to allow an adequate prognostic classification ofthese tumors, often leading to inappropriate treatment. In this sense, molecular tools can helpgenerate information of predictive and prognostic value, and can also identify new therapeutictargets. Molecular assessment of the CMGS exome can help identify genetic variants as DNApolymorphisms, mutations, chromosomal rearrangements, among others, which can assist thehistological grading based on differences and similarities among these tumors. In this regard,the alterations found in the DNA of these tumors may lead to more accurate diagnosis andconsequently the choice of a more appropriate therapeutic conduct. (AU)