Ricerc@Sapienza

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents the tenth most common cancer worldwide. The most common subtype of RCC is the clear cell RCC (ccRCC). It accounts for 70-80% of all renal malignancies representing the third most common urological cancer after prostate and bladder cancer. Recently, our group performed two independent pilot studies on FFPE and fresh frozen ccRCC samples highlighting that specific microRNAs (miRNAs) may represent useful biomarkers not only for diagnosis but also to assess complete resection or response to treatment in ccRCC management.
Starting from these results and in order to strength the use of these molecules in cliniclal practice in the last 3 years were enrolled 60 patients undergo surgery and histologically classified as ccRCC. With the aim to clarify, in a larger cohort of patients, the role of miR-210-3p and specific proteins of its molecular pathway as TIMP-1/TIMP-2 in diagnosis, prognosis and tumor progression of ccRCC, for each patients enrolled in this study we have obtained FFPE and fresh frozen tumor and normal parenchyma tissue samples and serum and urine samples (collected the day of the surgery and after 1-3-6 months during the follow-up).
Research plan: i) evaluation of miR-210-3p and TIMP-1/TIMP-2 expression levels in normal and neoplastic tissues and in serum and urine collected at the day of surgery during the follow-up of patients diagnosed with ccRCC, to clarify if clinical outcomes may correlate with their expression levels; ii) evaluation of miR-210-3p and TIMP-1/TIMP-2 contribution to ccRCC phenotype; iii) evaluation of the functional relevance of miR-210-3p and TIMP-1/TIMP-2 in the response to conventional cytotoxic drugs treatments.
The comprehension of the contribution of miRNAs and their molecular pathways to ccRCC phenotype may be relevant to pave the way for the identification and design of innovative clinical approaches in this tumor.