Project 466797
Extracellular vesicle protein signatures of pediatric liver tumors - A novel strategy for diagnosis
Extracellular vesicle protein signatures of pediatric liver tumors - A novel strategy for diagnosis
Project Information
| Study Type: | Unclear |
| Research Theme: | N/A |
Institution & Funding
| Principal Investigator(s): | Quaglietta, Paula R |
| Institution: | University of Toronto |
| CIHR Institute: | N/A |
| Program: | |
| Peer Review Committee: | Special Cases - Awards Programs |
| Competition Year: | 2021 |
| Term: | 1 yr 0 mth |
Abstract Summary
Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most frequent pediatric liver tumor. Standard treatment involves diagnostic imaging, biopsy, chemotherapy and surgery. Since most children are diagnosed under the age of 5 and tumor recurrence is associated with worsened outcomes, less invasive diagnostic and monitoring techniques are required. Serial blood tests (liquid biopsy) have been used for the diagnosis and monitoring of adult cancers, however have yet to be used in hepatoblastoma. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) present a source of biomarkers in the blood for liquid biopsy. Tumor cells release EVs that pack proteins, DNA and RNA to communicate with neighboring or distant cells. This project aims to investigate EVs as a novel diagnostic approach for HB for more specific and early detection of cancer and its recurrence. I will analyze and characterize the protein contents of EVs collected from several patient-derived HB cell lines to identify biomarkers specific to HB and validate these in patient samples. Furthermore, I aim to use patient clinical information to find correlations or specific markers of different tumor types and stages. A deeper understanding of tumor inter-cellular communication and proteins carried in EVs will improve the accuracy and quality of liquid biopsies in diagnosis and monitoring of HB.
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