PRAME gene expression profile in medulloblastoma

Author(s)

Vulcani-Freitas, Tania Maria ^{[1, 2]} ; Saba-Silva, Nasjla ^[2] ; Cappellano, Andrea ^[2] ; Cavalheiro, Sergio ^[3] ; Caminada de Toledo, Silvia Regina ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Morphol & Genet Dept, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Pediat Oncol Inst GRAACC, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Neurol & Neurosurg, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria; v. 69, n. 1, p. 9-12, FEB 2011.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant tumors of central nervous system in the childhood. The treatment is severe, harmful and, thus, has a dismal prognosis. As PRAME is present in various cancers, including meduloblastoma, and has limited expression in normal tissues, this antigen can be an ideal vaccine target for tumor immunotherapy. In order to find a potential molecular target, we investigated PRAME expression in medulloblastoma fragments and we compare the results with the clinical features of each patient. Analysis of gene expression was performed by real-time quantitative PCR from 37 tumor samples. The Mann-Whitney test was used to analysis the relationship between gene expression and clinical characteristics. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to evaluate survival. PRAME was overexpressed in 84% samples. But no statistical association was found between clinical features and PRAME overexpression. Despite that PRAME gene could be a strong candidate for immunotherapy since it is highly expressed in medulloblastomas. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 04/12133-6 - Search for molecular markers related to the diagnosis and prognosis of tumors of the central nervous system
• Grantee: Suely Kazue Nagahashi Marie
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants