Validation of markers of malignant transformation into oral squamous cell carcinoma using imaging mass cytometry and targeted proteomics

• Grant number: 22/04490-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2022
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Adriana Franco Paes Leme
• Grantee: Erison Santana dos Santos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba (FOP). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/18496-6 - The role of alcohol treated-extracellular vesicles in oral cells transformation, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/02756-7 - Using imaging mass cytometry to map leukoplakia microenvironment proteins predictors of transformation to oral cancer, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a malignant neoplasm with high morbidity and mortality rates. Oral potentially malignant disorders such as oral leukoplakia (OL) and proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) are precursor lesions of OSCC. Understanding the process of malignancy of these lesions can anticipate the diagnosis of OSCC, improve the prognosis and bring therapeutic opportunities. In a recent study by our group (dos Santos et al., 2020, unpublished), through discovery-based proteomics, it was possible to observe a panel of potential molecular signatures in the tear fluids of patients with OL, LVP, OSCC, and control patients, which may be associated with malignancy, as well as the association of proteins related to chronic alcohol consumption, alterations in the immune system, and features associated with malignant transformation, such as epithelial dysplasia. To translate this knowledge for clinical practice, these markers must be validated in an independent cohort of patients. In this study, we propose to verify two markers of malignancy using two approaches. In the first one, we will use tissues embedded in paraffin blocks to understand the role of these targets in the tissue context, as well as the relationship of these markers with the immune system. In the second, we will use targeted-based proteomics to monitor these markers in the tear fluids of an independent cohort of patients. This translational project aims to indicate molecular markers to aid in early diagnosis, prognosis well as correlating these findings with the immunological profile of patients.

Scientific publications

(6)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

KIRSCHNICK, LAURA BORGES; CALDERIPE, CAMILA BARCELLOS; VILLA, ALESSANDRO; DOS SANTOS, ERISON SANTANA; MIGLIORATI, CESAR; MARTINS, MANOELA DOMINGUES; SANTOS-SILVA, ALAN ROGER. Patient communication protocols for sexually transmitted infections: A systematic review. SPECIAL CARE IN DENTISTRY, v. 44, n. 4, p. 12-pg., 2024-02-20. (22/04490-1)

DOS SANTOS, ERISON SANTANA; SANTOS-SILVA, ALAN ROGER. Lack of Association Between oral Squamous cell Carcinoma and Li-Fraumeni Syndrome. Head and Neck Pathology, v. N/A, p. 2-pg., 2022-11-07. (22/04490-1)

NORMANDO, ANA GABRIELA COSTA; DOS SANTOS, ERISON SANTANA; SA, JAMILE DE OLIVEIRA; BUSSO-LOPES, ARIANE FIDELIS; DE ROSSI, TATIANE; PATRONI, FABIO MALTA DE SA; GRANATO, DANIELA CAMPOS; GUERRA, ELIETE NEVES SILVA; SANTOS-SILVA, ALAN ROGER; LOPES, MARCIO AJUDARTE; et al. A meta-analysis reveals the protein profile associated with malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia. FRONTIERS IN ORAL HEALTH, v. 4, p. 15-pg., 2023-02-27. (22/04490-1, 19/18751-9, 21/03319-4, 19/09692-9, 18/15535-0, 21/05965-0, 18/18496-6)

DOS SANTOS, ERISON SANTANA; PEREZ-DE-OLIVEIRA, MARIA EDUARDA; COSTA NORMANDO, ANA GABRIELA; MONTEIRO GUEIROS, LUIZ ALCINO; ROGATTO, SILVIA REGINA; VARGAS, PABLO AGUSTIN; LOPES, MARCIO AJUDARTE; DA SILVA GUERRA, ELIETE NEVES; PAES LEME, ADRIANA FRANCO; SANTOS-SILVA, ALAN ROGER. Systemic conditions associated with increased risk to develop oral squamous cell carcinoma: Systematic review and meta-analysis. HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, v. 44, n. 12, p. 13-pg., 2022-09-16. (22/04490-1, 19/09692-9, 19/26676-7)

DE CARVALHO-SILVA, LARISSA TINO; NORMANDO, ANA GABRIELA C.; SA, JAMILE DE OLIVEIRA; DOS SANTOS, ERISON SANTANA; DE ROSSI, TATIANE; BUSSO-LOPES, ARIANE FIDELIS; DE OLIVEIRA, ANA KARINA; LEME, ADRIANA F. PAES. Extracellular vesicles in carcinoma microenvironment. BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS, v. N/A, p. 11-pg., 2023-04-06. (21/08034-8, 22/04490-1, 21/03319-4, 19/09692-9, 21/05965-0, 18/18496-6)

DE PAIVA, JOAO PAULO GONCALVES; JORGE, JACKS; DOS SANTOS, ERISON SANTANA; MIGOWSKI, ARN; COHEN-GOLDEMBERG, DANIEL; KOWALSKI, LUIZ PAULO; BRANDAO, THAIS BIANCA; RIBEIRO, ANA CAROLINA PRADO; LOPES, MARCIO AJUDARTE; VARGAS, PABLO AGUSTIN; et al. Estimating the burden of care for oral potentially malignant disorders and oral cancer in Brazilian dental practice. MEDICINA ORAL PATOLOGIA ORAL Y CIRUGIA BUCAL, v. 29, n. 5, p. 8-pg., 2024-09-01. (22/04490-1)