Investigation of the prognostic value of Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD1) expressão in Adenoid Cystic Carcinomas and validation of the use of TMA for this biomarker

• Grant number: 23/17711-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2024
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Vivian Petersen Wagner
• Grantee: Isabela de Sousa Slivar
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FO). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare salivary gland tumor that, despite its rarity, has a significant portion of patients requiring systemic therapy due to its aggressiveness, tendency of late recurrence, and distant metastases. This tumor lacks validated biomarkers for patient stratification; however, recent evidence from next-generation sequencing investigations with samples from the United Kingdom and the United States has suggested that tumors with mutations in NOTCH1 have a more aggressive profile. The mutational profile appears to correlate with the immunohistochemical expression of the intracellular domain of Notch1 (NICD1), with this technique being more clinically applicable worldwide. The use of tissue microarray (TMA) technology may make NICD1 analysis even more accessible; however, for this, its use must be validated. The main objective of this study is to identify the prevalence of tumors with NICD1 overexpression in a Brazilian cohort of ACC and evaluate the prognostic value of this marker. Subsequently, the expression of original samples will be compared to that of TMAs, for technique validation. This research project aims to contribute to the consolidation of NICD1 as a biomarker in ACC, potentially providing prognostic and therapeutic insights for patients.