IDENTIFICATION OF MOLECULAR PROGNOSTIC AND PREDICTIVE MARKERS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH SOLID TUMORS. Programma di ricerca Regione-Università 2007-2009; Area 1a - Innovative Research.

Background The current challenge for a real progress in oncology is the development of laboratory procedures able to point out peculiar characteristics of tumors to be used for the diagnosis and treatment of affected patients. Objectives To identify new prognostic and predictive molecular markers to be employed in the management of patients affected by different types of solid tumors. Methods The investigation will be conducted using several modern technologies: gene expression profiling based on genome-wide cDNA microarrays (protein–coding genes and micro-RNAs); quantitative PCR; methylation-specific PCR; fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH); array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH); fluorescent PCR DNA analysis with microsatellite markers; protein expression analysis by immunohistochemistry and tissue microarray. Expected results The potential impact of the project on the health care system is the development of new laboratory procedures to be used for the diagnosis and treatment of different types of tumors, and in particular: a) to select colorectal cancer patients for adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy; b) to define prognostic and predictive molecular profiles in breast cancer; c) to improve the management of patients with superficial urinary bladder carcinoma; d) to predict the clinical outcome of patients with endocrine tumors