Evaluation of miRNAs miR-200a, miR-200c, miR-203 and miR-205 expression in head and neck squamous cell Carcinoma samples.

• Grant number: 12/21105-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2013
• End date: December 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: André Lopes Carvalho
• Grantee: Mariana Teixeira Rodrigues
• Host Institution: Hospital do Câncer de Barretos. Fundação Pio XII (FP). Barretos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the 10 most common neoplasias. Despite the different therapeutics strategies available, these tumors frequently progress with locoregional recurrences, this being, together with late detection, the main factors responsible for the low survival rates observed in these patients. It is clear the need for new tools for a better understanding of these tumors, enabling a better accuracy in the diagnosis, and allowing a more effective choice of treatment to be employed. Recent studies have shown that microRNAs are present in different metabolic pathways and influence the entire cell metabolism. Inclusive participating in several pathways involved in carcinogenesis and metastasis formation. Given this, the present study aims to identify microRNAs differentially expressed between tumor tissues and normal tissues, that may be useful for the development of a more sensitive, specific, and rapid diagnostic of HNSCC and to assist in determining the prognosis of these patients, allowing a most appropriate design of therapy, and follow-up for these patients. This study aims to evaluate the expression of microRNAs miR-200a, miR-200c, miR-203, and miR-205 in HNSCC and to investigate the association between the molecular data and the clinicopathological characteristics of the patients, especially with relation to prognostic factors.(AU)