Co-expression of CD44 and ERM family proteins (Ezrin/Moesin) in penile carcinoma

• Grant number: 11/09967-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: August 01, 2011
• End date: July 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Pathological Anatomy and Clinical Pathology
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Augusto Soares
• Grantee: Juliana Bartholo de Andrade
• Host Institution: Diretoria. Fundação Antonio Prudente (FAP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Although the morphologic factors are important for understanding the diagnosis and prognosis of penile carcinoma, the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved can add values to that effect. This fact led us to formulate a master's thesis entitled "Clinicopathological correlation of protein expression of complex CD44/ERM (Ezrin/ Radixin/Moesin) in penile carcinoma", which evaluated the protein expressions of CD44 and ERM family , in isolation, correlating the clinical and pathological criteria for patients with the disease. It was observed that there are both significant changes in the expression of complex CD44/ERM as prognostic implications. However, it is important to understand how the co-expression of CD44 protein and Ezrina/Moesina are represented in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. Thus, the present study aims to analyze the co-expression of CD44-Ezrina and CD44-Moesina in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis and correlate them with clinical and pathological criteria. To do this, will be studied retrospectively 100 cases of patients undergoing surgery for squamous cell carcinoma of penis at the Center for Treatment and Research - Hospital AC Camargo. Will be performed immunohistochemical stains for detection of isolated CD44 (HCAM), CD44v6, Ezrin and Moesina. Co-expression of markers will be analyzed by direct immunofluorescence method for CD44/Ezrina, CD44/Moesina, CD44v6/Ezrina and CD44v6/Moesina. Then, the results will be correlated statistically with the clinical and pathological criteria.