BACKGROUND. The field of liquid biopsies is gaining interest in many types of cancer, including neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), for tumor profiling and monitoring. Data coming from the sequencing of tumor-educated platelets (TEPs) circular RNAs (circRNAs) and angiogenic mediators could be used to identify molecular pathways involved in NENs growth and metastatization, providing prognostic information.
SPECIFIC AIMS. To validate the use of circRNAs from TEPs in patients with NENs, in order to provide a tumor molecular profiling and a prognostic evaluation.
EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: We will perform a preliminary, pilot study enrolling 16 consecutive patients with histologically proven gastro-entero-pancreatic (GEP), well differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), treatment-naïve, 8 locally advanced or metastatic and 8 with localized disease. Study protocol includes sequencing of circRNAs isolated from TEPs at baseline.
SIGNIFICANCE & INNOVATION. The use of TEPs circRNAs in the field of NETs could help identifying processes underling NETs aggressive behavior and provide prognostic information. Moreover, this knowledge could guide the choice of a tailored target therapy and potentially lead to the development of new treatments.
