Interaction between FISGA peptide and Stratifin in head and neck cancer

• Grant number: 24/13422-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Luisa Lina Villa
• Grantee: Jaqueline Rhoden
• Host Institution: Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo Octavio Frias de Oliveira (ICESP). Coordenadoria de Serviços de Saúde (CSS). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has a considerable global prevalence and low survival rate, affecting anatomical regions with basic functions such as speech and swallowing. It is a disease of multifactorial cause, involving interactions between genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. In Western European countries and the United States, HPV is responsible for approximately 70% of oropharyngeal cancer cases. Therapeutic approaches vary according to the stage and location of the disease, however, diagnosis commonly occurs at a more advanced stage, which poses a challenge for effective treatment. Thus, there is a need to develop new therapeutic modalities and more efficient and less invasive diagnostic techniques. From a previous study conducted by our research group in which the Stratifin (SFN) protein was characterized in HNSCC, this project was designed to investigate a peptide (named FISGA) identified by phage display and to evaluate the FISGA-SFN interaction, characterizing its binding and possible consequences of this interaction, as they can vary given the diverse actions of SFN in the cell. To this end, we will use different HNSCC cell lines (HPV-positive and negative) to conduct assays with recombinant bacteriophages and synthesized peptides to evaluate the binding of FISGA to SFN and cellular internalization. For an in-depth understanding and evaluation of alterations in the protein profile of tumor cells, we will perform a proteomic analysis. We also intend to explore the possibility of combining the peptide with existing chemotherapeutic treatments, evaluating possible synergies through cell viability assays and isobologram analysis. We hope to elucidate the role of the FISGA-SFN interaction in head and neck cancer, exploring new diagnostic or therapeutic approaches.