Integrative analysis of the global methylation profile of male and female reproductive cancers

• Grant number: 21/11427-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2021
• End date: November 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Histology
• Principal Investigator: Luis Antonio Justulin Junior
• Grantee: Luana Moura Campolino
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In recent years, a significant increase in the incidence of reproductive cancers (male and female) has been observed in the world, which becomes a public health problem and affects the quality of life of patients. While there are particularities in each of these cancers, studies suggest certain genetic similarities between them. Recently, our research group described molecules and signaling pathways shared between these cancers. However, the contribution of DNA methylation mechanisms is still poorly explored in integrative studies looking for cancer biomarkers. Therefore, the objective of this work is to identify epigenetic mechanisms of DNA methylation, which are commonly deregulated in cancers that affect reproductive tissues, seeking to identify molecular pathways and potential therapeutic targets that are responsive to anti-hormonal treatments. For this, DNA methylation sequencing data from six types of tumors that affect the reproductive tissues (prostate, testis, breast, ovary, body, and uterine epithelium) from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) will be used. Differently methylated genes (GDMs) will be identified and associated with differentially expressed genes (GDEs), which are commonly dysregulated in the six tumor types. The molecular pathways associated with GDMs, and their role in carcinogenesis will be identified; the responsiveness of these molecules in anti-hormonal treatments will also be associated, in addition to in silico validations in normal and tumor tissues. In the end, it is expected to establish epigenetic signatures in cancers that affect the genital system (male and female) and potential therapeutic targets for anti-hormonal treatments.(AU)