Characterization of HK2 expression in aggressive B cell lymphomas

• Grant number: 21/12580-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2022
• End date: June 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Metabolism and Bioenergetics
• Principal Investigator: Céline Marques Pinheiro
• Grantee: Gabriel de Prince Garcia
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde de Barretos Dr Paulo Prata (FACISB). Barretos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Background: Currently, lymphomas constitute approximately 3% of neoplasms worldwide and are characterized by the abnormal growth of B and T lymphocytes or natural killer (NK) cells. Among aggressive B-cell lymphomas, large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is one of the most biologically and genetically distinct subtypes and, thus, presents heterogeneity in response to standard treatment, which consists of chemotherapy therapy, and may be associated with radiotherapy. Staging is based on positron emission tomography findings associated with fluorideoxyglucose-labeled computed tomography-18 (PET-CT 18F-FDG). The in-depth study of the molecular metabolism of aggressive B-cell lymphomas, including of hexokinase 2 (HK2), an enzyme related to tumor metabolism, can help guide more effective therapeutic treatments or even contribute to the establishment of new forms of treatment. Aim: To evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of HK2 and associate it with clinicopathological and survival data, and semi-quantitative parameters related to 18F-FDG uptake in aggressive B cell lymphomas. Methods: The study design is longitudinal, with retrospective collection of clinical and laboratory data and analysis of biopsies of aggressive B-cell lymphomas, 18F-FDG PET-CT and semi-quantitative parameters related to 18F-FDG uptake by neoplastic tissue. An estimated 100 patients with aggressive B-cell lymphoma will be included. Immunohistochemistry will be performed on paraffined sections of biopsies for analysis of HK2 expression and, finally, statistical analysis using SPSS.