Characterization of GLUT1 and CAIX expression in carcinoma of unknown primary

• Grant number: 16/08674-9
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2016
• Effective date (End): January 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Metabolism and Bioenergetics
• Principal Investigator: Céline Marques Pinheiro
• Grantee: Priscila Neves Bernécule
• Home Institution: Hospital do Câncer de Barretos. Fundação Pio XII (FP). Barretos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Cancers of unknown primary (CUPs) are a heterogeneous group of cancers, characterized by its main clinical symptom, which consists of metastasis without an identifiable primary tumor. Certain prognostic markers can contribute to the treatment of patients who do not respond well to conventional treatments, because they can be potential targets for the development of new therapies. In this context, the energy metabolism-related proteins appear as promising targets. In this way, the knowledge on the metabolic profile of these cancer cells appears with extreme importance in the quest to use these proteins as tumor markers and / or therapeutic targets. The aim of this project is to evaluate the expression of proteins associated with the metabolic microenvironment of unknown primary tumors and their possible associations with the clinical pathological features and clinical outcomes in patients with this type of tumor. For that, the expression of GLUT1 and CAIX will be assessed by immunohistochemistry in a series of around 150 CUPs arranged in TMAs. The expression data will be associated with clinical and pathological data of the patients. With this project, we expect to contribute to the characterization of the metabolic profile of these tumors, contributing to the understanding of the biology of this tumor, as well as anticipate potential therapeutic targets. (AU)