Epithelial-mesenchymal transition: implications in pediatric patients with germ cell tumors

• Grant number: 23/07073-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: June 01, 2023
• End date: November 16, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Human and Medical Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Mariana Tomazini Pinto
• Grantee: Lenilson Silva
• Host Institution: Hospital do Câncer de Barretos. Fundação Pio XII (FP). Barretos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/07502-8 - Investigation of the transcription factors inducing Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in germ cells tumors, AP.JP
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/02992-5 - Investigation of Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase A in Germ Cell Tumors, BE.EP.MS

Abstract

Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are neoplasms that can occur in the gonads or extragonadal sites, with different histological subtypes that influence prognosis and treatment. Diagnosis is based on clinical data, tumor markers, and histopathological classification, and treatment for these tumors includes surgery and chemotherapy. However, the acquisition of a malignant phenotype is associated with therapeutic resistance, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is known to confer high-grade malignancy to neoplasms. Evidence supports the role of EMT in various tumor types, including GCTs, but most studies have been conducted in adult patients, prompting investigation in pediatric patients. Therefore, the objective of this project is to evaluate the role of EMT in pediatric GCTs by analyzing the expression of EMT-related genes. RNA will be extracted from paraffin blocks of pediatric patients with GCTs, and EMT-related genes will be assessed using the Nanostring platform with the nCounter® PanCancer Progression panel. Understanding the mechanisms involved in EMT in pediatric GCTs could aid in the understanding of the biology of these tumors and the development of new therapies to improve patient prognosis.