Identification of a microRNAs expression profile in plasma of patients with BI-RADS 4 mammography radiological images capable of discriminate between presence or absence of malignant breast lesions

• Grant number: 14/14025-8
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2014
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Human and Medical Genetics
• Principal researcher: Luiz Fernando Lima Reis
• Grantee: Julia Alejandra Pezuk
• Home Institution: Hospital Sírio-Libanês. Sociedade Beneficente de Senhoras (SBSHSL). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

MiRNAs are small noncoding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression in a post-transcriptional manner. Recentlyit was discovered that human serum/plasma contains a large number of circulating miRNAs that can be used as molecular markers for several diseases, including cancer. Breast cancer is the most common tumorin women, and due to the late diagnosis it is responsible for the majority of cancer deaths in females. Mammography is the main test for detection and diagnosisof this type of neoplasia. Breast lesion images are classified by the BI-RADS method according to tissue density, but this system is not accurate for lesion in category 3 and 4. In this context, this study aims to determine an expression profile of miRNAs in plasma that would discriminate patients who have breast malignant lesions from patients with benign breast lesions. To do so, miRNA PCR array technique will be used and the expression profile of miRNAs will be assessed in the plasma of 100 breast cancer patients (BI-RADS 4 and 5) and 100 controls (BI-RADS 1 and 2) treated at Sirio-Libanês Hospital. MiRNAs whose expression in the plasma can distinguish between both groups will be identified. Subsequently, these miRNAs will be evaluated in the plasma of 100 BI-RADS 4 patients in order to verify the efficacy in identifying patientswho certainly have malignant lesion. We expect that with the large number of miRNAs and samples included in this study, it will be possible to identify a reliable miRNA expression profile that could assist in the early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. (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)

PEZUK, JULIA ALEJANDRA; ARAUJO MILLER, THIAGO LUIZ; BARBOSA BEVILACQUA, JOSE LUIZ; SIMOES DORNELLAS DE BARROS, ALFREDO CARLOS; MARTINS DE ANDRADE, FELIPE EDUARDO; DE ANDRADE E MACEDO, LUIZA FREIRE; AGUILAR, VERA; MENARDO CLARO, AMANDA NATASHA; CAMARGO, ANAMARIA ARANHA; FAVORETTO GALANTE, PEDRO ALEXANDRE; REIS, LUIZ F. L. Measuring plasma levels of three microRNAs can improve the accuracy for identification of malignant breast lesions in women with BI-RADS 4 mammography. ONCOTARGET, v. 8, n. 48, p. 83940-83948, OCT 13 2017. Web of Science Citations: 5.