Cytogenetic study on bone tumors and proliferative lesions

• Grant number: 11/08007-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2011
• End date: July 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Human and Medical Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Razera Baruffi
• Grantee: João Antonio Priolli e Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The search to identify the factors which may point to a precise diagnosis, and consequently, a better therapeutic response and survival of patients with bone neoplasia has been intense. Predicting tumor aggressiveness, tissue invasiveness and metastasis potential, as well response to treatment can be of great value when choosing a therapy. In relation to anatomic place and etiology, bone tumors are a heterogenic group. It is very hard to establish a prognosis for pathology. Cytogenetic studies provide better and earlier knowledge of these diseases. Although environmental and dietary factors contribute to the etiology of cancer, neoplasia originates from a multiphase process, which includes gene alterations and selection of the defective clone variant progeny. Such mutations occur at cell proliferating regulation genes, such as ontogenesis, tumor suppressor genes, growth factors, signaling pathways and DNA repairing genes. The present project aims to detect and describe chromosomal abnormalities consistent and repeatable through the use of classical cytogenetics and its involvement in the prognosis of skeletal malignancies in patients of Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, UNESP. Knowledge about molecular biology has improved the understanding of many aspects of carcinogenesis. However, despite good prospects, so far there has been no benefit for prevention, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients with bone lesions. The present study constitutes an attempt to contribute to a better understanding, and consequently develop more effective therapies to improve survival rates and benefit more patients with bone neoplasm. (au)