Technique helps to detect predisposition to tumor base of the tongue

Researchers at the University of Campinas (Unicamp) could reveal a predisposition to the tumor base of the tongue - a region that is at the bottom of the tongue near the throat - which has high incidence and mortality in various regions of the world, including Brazil. Of the approximately 650,000 new cases identified annually worldwide, about 65% of them are diagnosed in advanced stages.

For the survey, the study's author, biologist Gustavo Jacob Lawrence used a recent technique called genotyping on a large scale, which determines, on a slide, in which DNA samples are prepared, forms of 500 000 polymorphism - the presence of different genotypes for a particular trait - an individual in a single reaction.

The work involved the analysis of blood samples from 49 patients with carcinoma of the tongue base and another part of the control group consisting of healthy individuals, allowing to verify the differences in the frequencies of each of the forms of genetic polymorphisms and 500 000 thus identify those responsible for the increased risk in the development of tumors.

The CEC of the pharynx, as is known that type of tumor, is 15% to 25% of these tumors and tumors include the nasopharynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx. The oropharynx and have aggressive behavior, including the tongue base are important, given the incidence, morbidity and mortality.

Are more likely to develop tumors of the tongue base individuals over 50 years, male, who for years cultivated the habits of smoking and drinking alcohol, and possibly those who take diet low in vegetables and fruits and excess of fatty foods. The researcher focused on the study of these tumors led by its index of incidence, main causes for presenting well characterized, because they are poorly studied and because they were unknown genetic abnormalities in patients with recurrent tumors.

<b> Inheritance </ b>

The ultimate goal is to try to identify individuals at higher risk for inherited tumors and may be subject to appropriate guidelines for preventing the development and periodic examinations for early detection. This is our goal then to identify, confirm and validate these results in our population. Individuals in high-risk group should be referred to oncology services in order to receive recommendations on the need not to esporem risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol. They should also be periodically evaluated by specific tests such as fiberoptic to visualize the oral cavity, nasopharynx and oropharynx, in order to identify tumors early, when the probability of cure is much greater, because these patients usually come with the tumor in a phase advanced and very often in a form incurable. Remember that we are evaluating an inherited trait and not mutations that develop throughout life, emphasizes the teacher Carmen Silvia, guiding the research.

Next step <b> search </ b>

According to Carmen, the next step is to validate these results with larger groups of individuals in various regions of the country. To this end, contacts have been established with other oncology centers located in Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, Pernambuco, Sergipe, Paraiba, Goiás, Brasília, Amazonas, Roraima. She considers this important regional scale in a country like Brazil, population ethnically very variable, which will come up with results that apply to the entire population.

Lawrence explains that these centers would have to collect DNA samples (blood) of patients and a control group and send them to the Laboratory of Cancer Genetics. Researchers from the respective regions may also come to the lab to learn the technique. He also believes that the expansion of samples from other regions, will validate the results obtained so far and give rise to additional publication.

In the post-doctoral, Lawrence seeks to identify any differences in the proteins encoded by distinct forms of each gene polymorphism of interest and to verify their exact roles in cell metabolism. The various forms of each polymorphism may increase or decrease the amount of protein produced, or change their structure by modifying its function as the ability to bind to certain receptors. The description of these polymorphisms that lead to various protein is new, in addition to their roles in the development of tumors studied are not yet known.

With information <i> Unicamp </ i>

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