engleski

Epigenetic biomarkers of prostate cancer (epiPro)

This project includes two interconnected goals. The first is to establish a new Scientific Group for Research on Epigenetic Biomarkers, epiMark. Scientists gathered through epiMark are already active in studying male reproductive health and disease, therefore will contribute to the next general goal: studying potential epigenetic biomarkers (EB) in liquid biopsies of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa). PCa is second in incidence and third cause of cancer deaths in Croatia, with incidence rates steadily rising. Contrarily, Croatia records a fall in PCa research. With PSA being quite sensitive biomarker, but not specific for PCa, there is a need for developing new diagnostic tools. Our aim is to investigate microRNA and DNA methylation which may serve as potential EB for PCa risk and disease progression, and tools for differentiating PCa and benign prostate hyperplasia (BHP). According to recent findings, we chose a set of miRNAs and gene promoter regions believed to be associated with PC development and progression. The study will be conducted on volunteers diagnosed with PCa and BHP within routine at Urology departments of UHC Zagreb and UHC Sestre milosrdnice. In seminal fluid and blood, profiles of genes DNA methylation within cfDNA will be identified by pyrosequencing, while expression of miRNA by qPCR and ddPCR. Epigenetic analysis of gene expression will be performed on patient cancer tissues as well. By comprehensible statistical analysis, we expect to identify potential EB of PCa in liquid biopsies Acknowledgments: This study was supported by Instalation reserch project UIP-2017-05-8138 „Epigenetic biomarkers in prostate cancer“ financed by Croatian Science Foundation and cofinanced by School of Medicine University of Zagreb.

epiPro ; prostate cancer

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