MicroRNAs as possible biomarkers of nephrotoxicity induced by cisplatin in patients with head and neck cancer

• Grant number: 19/11679-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2019
• Effective date (End): August 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy
• Principal Investigator: Patricia Moriel
• Grantee: Juliana Marques de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Head and neck cancer correspond to tumors located in the upper aerodigestive pathways. The most indicated treatment consists of radiotherapy concomitant with chemotherapy with high doses of cisplatin, but its use is limited due to its toxicities, mainly renal, caused by oxidative stress. There is a need to identify new biomarkers of nephrotoxicity, since traditional markers are poorly sensitive and non-specific. Among the main biomarkers studied are microRNAs (miRNAs) consisting of small non-coding RNA molecules that play an important role in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. It is known that some pathophysiological conditions such as head and neck cancer are related to alterations in the miRNA spectrum. In addition, some miRNAs are distributed in specific tissues, and although extracellular fluids have high concentrations of RNA degrading enzymes, they are highly stable and can be detected in different biological fluids. The objective of this study will be to validate the miRNAs identified by sequencing as possible biomarkers of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in 50 patients with head and neck cancer previously included. For identification of possible target mRNAs and signaling pathways modulated by miRNAs, the IPA software (Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, Ingenuity Systems, www.ingenuity.com) will be used.