진학프로석·박사 채용 접수 플랫폼

KEY WORDS: colorectal cancer, metastasis, predictive biomarkers, targeted proteomics, validation, mass spectrometry, exosomes

Principal Investigator: Dr. Hab. Anna Wojakowska

Research topic Proteomic predictors of metastasis in colorectal cancer – a validation study

The project cooperates with the National Cancer Institute - National Research Institute, Gliwice Branch (Dr. Hab. Marcin Zeman).

I. Project description

The main objective of the proposed project is to verify the hypothesis that the presence and levels of specific proteomic components in colon and rectal primary tumors and serum-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are specifically associated with disease invasiveness, progression, and metastasis risk in CRC. In the proposed study, we will use state-of-the-art targeted proteomic approaches based on mass spectrometry techniques and tissue matrix analysis based on immunohistochemistry, as well as flow cytometry methods, to evaluate proposed multiplex proteomic panels of metastases, including metachronous distant metastases of colon cancer and regional lymph node metastases in colon and rectal cancer. 

A special effort will be made to characterize and evaluate VCAN and related matrisome proteins as signatures of RLNM in rectal cancer in the primary tumor and proximal margin, as well as serum-derived sEVs. The project will be conducted in two arms, comprising a retrospective (FFPE and fresh frozen primary tumor tissues) and a prospective (serum-derived sEV) arm of the study. Linking VCAN protein levels and other potential proteomic signatures in sEV and primary tumor tissues to disease invasiveness, progression, and metastasis status will enable clinically useful prognostic and predictive signatures to be proposed.

Research shall be carried out within the 2024/53/B/NZ5/02780 NCN project entitled “Proteomic predictors of metastasis in colorectal cancer – a validation study”, funded by the National Science Centre.