The nitric oxide influence on neuroblastoma metastasis in the bone marrow

• Grant number: 16/11098-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): April 01, 2017
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Molecular Biology
• Principal Investigator: Claudiana Lameu
• Grantee: Fernanda Cardoso Coutinho
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 18/18799-9 - Effect of Bj-PRO-10c on exosomal miRNA expression: role in cancer cachexia and neuroblastoma metastasis, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

Cancer is an important issue of global public health. Until now, there is not a proposal for the cure of this disease. Based on that, several studies are being conducted to improve current treatments around the world. Neuroblastoma is originated from any tissue of the sympathetic nervous system and the most affected site is the abdomen. The adrenal gland is the primary site in 38% of cases. Approximately 70% of patients have metastatic disease at diagnosis, and the bone marrow is often affected. Metastatic disease is characterized as spreading of cancer cells from the primary tumor to other specific parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Recently, it has been shown that nitric oxide (NO) has a pleiotropic effect in the platelet aggregation, in the immune response and on the signaling of the progression of tumor, all of which affect tumor cells metastasis. On the one hand, it has been shown that the activation of nitric oxide has anti-tumor effect. On the other hand, however, it has been noted that NO can promote formation and progression of cancer, making it difficult to classify the NO-mediated effects on tumor metastasis as pro or anti-metastatic. This project aims on studying and documenting the role of NO on neuroblastoma propagation to the bone marrow. Very few studies have been published in this specific field, so the enhancement of research on how NO affects cancer will contribute to a better understanding of metastasis, opening avenues to apply molecular strategies for inhibition of metastatic cascade. (AU)