In vitro characterization of the JEG-3 cell line of cisplatin-resistant germ cell tumors

• Grant number: 23/10392-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2023
• End date: February 28, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Human and Medical Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Mariana Tomazini Pinto
• Grantee: Bruna Inez dos Santos Cruz
• Host Institution: Hospital do Câncer de Barretos. Fundação Pio XII (FP). Barretos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are derived from primordial germ cells and occur at both gonadaland extragonadal sites. They present great histological heterogeneity, and are classified into two main types: seminomas and non-seminomas. The diagnosis is established by correlating theclinical picture, typical location, imaging tests and biological markers. Treatment is based on strategies that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, with cisplatin being the mostused and most effective chemotherapy drug. However, despite this importance, 15-20% of patients are resistant to this compound due to multifactorial mechanisms. In vitro studies aboutthis resistance with the different strains of GCT obtained results, however therapy targets or newupdates have not yet been found to improve the prognosis of patients due to the scarcity ofpreclinical models. Thus, the aim of this project is to induce cisplatin resistance in the JEG-3 germ cell tumor cell line and perform the functional characterization. For this purpose, the JEG-3 strain derived from a choriocarcinoma will be used, which will be treated with cisplatin. In the resistant and parental cells, the migratory capacity, invasion and colony formation will be analyzed in order to compare. Therefore, the development of this project will contribute to the establishment of an in vitro model of resistance to cisplatin from the germ cell tumor line, JEG-3, enabling the characterization and greater understanding of the resistance mechanisms, and may contribute to the development of new approaches, aiming at a better prognosis of patients.