Characterization of circulating extracellular vesicles in patients with colorectal and gastric cancer with preserved and reduced functional capacity.

• Grant number: 25/01684-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: December 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal Investigator: Lígia de Moraes Antunes Corrêa
• Grantee: Talita Oliveira Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Educação Física (FEF). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/01682-2 - Characterization of circulating extracellular vesicles in patients with colorectal cancer., AP.R

Abstract

AbstractPatients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and gastric cancer have reduced functional capacity. On the other hand, recent literature data has shown that extracellular vesicles (EVs) play an important role in signaling between tissues. EVs are secreted by different tissues, including tumor cells, and can have paracrine and endocrine actions. Experimental work has shown that EVs secreted by tumor cells can alter muscle metabolism and consequently functional capacity. It is worth noting that EVs can transport microRNAs, however, to date the profile of microRNAs carried by circulating EVs in patients with gastric RCC is not known. Our hypothesis is that patients with reduced functional capacity should have a different quantity, size and load of circulating EVs than patients without reduced functional capacity. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to characterize the quantity, size, load and percentage of tumor origin of circulating EVs in patients with CRC with low and high functional capacity.To this end, 80 patients diagnosed with CRC will be invited to participate in the study. The following will be carried out: 1) collection of clinical and physical data; 2) assessment of functional capacity using the 6-minute walk test and assessment of hand grip strength (hangrip); 4) blood collection; 5) isolation and characterization of EVs circulating in the collected blood; and 6) analysis of the expression of MicroRNAs carried by EVs. For analysis, patients will be divided into two groups: 1) Low functional capacity and 2) High functional capacity. Our results will allow us to understand the characteristics of circulating EVs in patients with CRC, identify possible MicroRNAs related to reduced functional capacity; and, together, will provide support for future studies with patients with CRC.Keywords: Colorectal cancer; Gastric cancer; Functional capacity; Extracellular vesicles and microRNAs.