Effects of cetuximab treatment in the behaviour of cancer stem cell in oral squamous cell carcinoma

• Grant number: 14/12658-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: October 01, 2014
• End date: November 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Fabio Daumas Nunes
• Grantee: Maria Fernanda Setúbal Destro Rodrigues
• Supervisor: Ian Campbell Mackenzie
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FO). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Queen Mary University of London, England
• Associated to the scholarship: 11/21395-8 - Functional analysis of cell signaling involvement in cancer stem cells obtained from oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines, BP.PD

Abstract

The initiation, growth, recurrence and metastasis of solid tumours, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), have been related to the behaviour of a small subpopulation of 'tumour-initiating' cells. These cells, also called as cancer stem cells, drive tumour growth and are responsible for tumour aggressiveness and therapeutic resistance. One such targeted therapy of importance for the treatment of OSCC, Cetuximab, is anticipated to work by blocking the EGF receptor function of CSCs. Despite the substantial evidence concerning the central role of CSCs in malignant grow, very little is known about their responses to targeted therapies. The main purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effects of Cetuximab on CSC and non-CSC isolated based on their CD44 expression by Fluorescence-ativated Cell Sorting through analysis of their growth rates, apoptotic responses, and loss of stem cell properties. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BELIZARIO, JOSE E.; NEYRA, JENNIFER M.; SETUBAL DESTRO RODRIGUES, MARIA FERNANDA. When and how NK cell-induced programmed cell death benefits immunological protection against intracellular pathogen infection. Innate Immunity, v. 24, n. 8, p. 452-465, NOV 2018. (18/11053-1, 14/12658-3)