In vitro analysis of a chemotherapeutic panel in cisplatin-resistant germ cell tumor lines

• Grant number: 20/12742-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2021
• End date: October 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Human and Medical Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Mariana Tomazini Pinto
• Grantee: Vanessa Monteiro Oliveira
• Host Institution: Hospital do Câncer de Barretos. Fundação Pio XII (FP). Barretos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Germ cell tumors are benign or malignant neoplasms derived from primordial germ cells that occur in gonadal and extragonadal sites, with variation in incidence by age and presenting distinct histological patterns. The diagnosis is established with the aid of clinical data, histopathological analyzes, radiological exams and biological markers. Therapeutic planning takes place after histological evaluation and tumor staging and, for some patients, chemotherapy with cisplatin is the treatment of choice. However, a significant number of patients relapse to cancer due to acquiring resistance to this compound, by means of multifactorial mechanisms that have not yet been elucidated. Thus, the aim of this work is to analyze the in vitro effect of a panel of chemotherapeutic drugs in cisplatin-resistant germ cell tumor lines. Two commercially obtained GCT cell lines will be used, including embryonic carcinoma cells (NTERA-2) and choriocarcinoma (JEG-3), in which our research group has already established resistance to cisplatin. The cisplatin-resistant cells will be cultured and characterized for colony formation and cell migration. Then, the cell lines will be treated with the chemotherapy drugs Carboplatin, Etoposide and Azacitidine and the cell viability will be evaluated. Therefore, the development of this project will contribute to elucidate the effect of treatment with different chemotherapeutics on cisplatin-resistant cells and may contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches. (AU)