Verification of apoptotic proteins in response of melatonin treatment in co-culture of fibroblasts and mammary tumor cell line

• Grant number: 13/20121-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2014
• End date: December 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Debora Aparecida Pires de Campos Zuccari
• Grantee: Jessica Picinin Cardoso
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. In recent years, it has been shown that cancer progression occurs not only because of the changes on tumor cells but also the changes on microenvironment. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) are the most abundant cells in the tumor microenvironment and they are able to mediate responses that promote tumor development. The hormone melatonin has been associated with various mechanisms of action and oncostatic effects, including blocking cancer progression by reducing of the synthesis of surrounding fibroblasts and endothelial cells in breast cancer and induction of apoptosis in several tumor cell lines. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of CAF in breast tumor cells (MDA-MB-231) in the expression of apoptotic proteins before and after treatment with melatonin. We will perform the melatonin treatment in co-culture of MDA-MB-231 and CAF and evaluate the expression of key factors involved in apoptosis by Antibody Array. The results will allow to verify the influence of CAF in breast tumor cells and action of melatonin in these cells as a potential therapeutic agent.