EVALUATION OF POLQ EXPRESSION IN CANINE CUTANEOUS MASTCELL TUMOURS

• Grant number: 24/05072-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: April 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Pathology
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo de Francisco Strefezzi
• Grantee: Lucas Milani
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Mast cell tumour (MCT) is the second most frequent malignant neoplasm in dogs. The pathogenesis of the disease is still unclear, however, its prevalence in certain breeds presupposes a genetic pathway for its development. One of the pathways of maintenance and genetic repair of cells is the Theta-Mediated End Joining (TMEJ), being the main enzyme the DNA polymerase ¸, encoded by the POLQ gene. The expression of this enzyme is altered in several malignant neoplasms in humans, being responsible for facilitating genetic rearrangements that lead to chemoresistance and radioresistance of neoplastic cells, which makes it a potential therapeutic target. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of POLQ in canine cutaneous MCTs and to verify its prognostic value. Fifty cases of canine cutaneous MCTs of different histological grades will be analysed using immunohistochemistry, Western Blot and RT-PCR to quantify the expression of POLQ. The results will be compared to the clinical data, histological grades, proliferative activity and post-surgical survival.