Fibroblast growth factor receptors status in squamous cell carcinomas and circulating tumor cells

Abstract

Signaling through the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) eventually became a rather complex growth signaling pathway, reflecting the wide range of physiological functions controlled via FGF-FGFR (fibroblast growth factor receptor). The FGF family in mammals consists of 18 ligands that exert their functions through 4 transmembrane receptors with tyrosine kinase activity (FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3 and FGFR4). Given the relationship shown by studies of FGFR and other signaling pathways which are targeted therapies, it is important to emphasize the search for molecular assays capable of providing an indicative of response to several drugs simultaneously, so called "multiplex assays ". Platforms capable of scanning changes in several pathways associated with FGF / FGFR may be incorporated into the pre-selection process of patients for clinical trials. This study will comprise approximately 300 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, lung squamous cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva and cervix, from Service of Pathology from Ribeirao General Hospital/FMRP-USP. Protein expression of the 4 members of the FGFR family will be assessed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assays, and its gene expression evaluated by Multiplex assay with magnetic beads. In the collaborating institution, The Ohio State University, FGFR expression will be analyzed in circulating tumor cells of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma in protocol already in progress, will be assessed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assays, and its gene expression evaluated by RNA in situ hybridization (RNA ISH). Statistical analysis will be performed using the SPSS software, version 21.0. For all tests, the significance level is set to ± <0.05. (AU)