Evaluation of the expression of microRNAs related to metastasis in a mucoepidermoid carcinoma cell line

• Grant number: 24/21264-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Pathological Anatomy and Clinical Pathology
• Principal Investigator: Cláudia Malheiros Coutinho Camillo
• Grantee: Aline Campos de Queiroz
• Host Institution: A C Camargo Cancer Center. Fundação Antonio Prudente (FAP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/14253-7 - MicroRNA expression profile associated with aggressive potential in salivary gland Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma, AP.R

Abstract

Salivary gland tumors comprise a heterogeneous group of lesions, with mucoepidermoid carcinoma being the most common. To date, its prognostic and therapeutic impact is determined by the histological grade, affected anatomical region, and occurrence of lymph node and/or distant metastases. The main treatment is surgery followed or not by radiotherapy, but there are no standardized and effective protocols for chemotherapy treatment in unresectable, recurrent or metastatic cases. Therefore, approaches using experimental models are essential. In this context, microRNAs (miRNAs) represent a class of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression. Although the determination of miRNA expression profiles can be used in the diagnosis, classification, and prognosis of different tumors, few studies have evaluated the microRNA profile in salivary gland neoplasms. The aim of this project is to characterize the miRNA expression profile by RT-qPCR in non-metastatic and metastatic mucoepidermoid carcinoma samples. We will investigate the role of miRNAs with differences between the groups by transfecting mimetic miRNAs or anti-miRNAs into mucoepidermoid carcinoma cell lines, followed by RNA-Seq studies to search for direct targets to be determined by luciferase reporter gene assays. The role of these microRNAs will be investigated by studying tumor biology by cell proliferation, migration and invasion assays, and the response to antitumor drugs will be evaluated using a high throughput screening platform. Thus, we propose not only a deep understanding of the molecular basis, but also tailor patient treatment depending on a more or less aggressive profile of the disease. (AU)