Medizinische Universität Graz - Research portal
Selected Publication:
Sallinger, K.
Tracking the trace: Factors contributing to tumor dissemination
Doktoratsstudium der Medizinischen Wissenschaft; Humanmedizin; [ Dissertation ] Medizinische Universität Graz; 2024. pp. 183
[OPEN ACCESS]
FullText
- Authors Med Uni Graz:
- Advisor:
- Bauernhofer Thomas
- El-Heliebi Amin
- Heitzer Ellen
- Kroneis Thomas
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Therapeutic management of stage II colon cancer remains difficult regarding the decision to either opt for or against the administration of adjuvant chemotherapy (Sallinger et al., 2023). Recurrence of cancer within five years after tumor resection is of significant concern as it is related with a high risk of cancer-associated deaths. Predictive biomarkers are urgently needed. We, therefore, hypothesize that the spatial tissue composition of relapsed and non-relapsed colon cancer stage II patients after tumor resection reveals relevant biomarkers (Sallinger et al., 2023). The spatial tissue composition of stage II colon cancer patients was examined by a novel cutting-edge spatial transcriptomic technology, namely in situ sequencing, with single cell and sub-cellular resolution. A panel of 176 genes was designed to investigate various cancer-associated processes and components of the tumor microenvironment. Based on spatial expression patterns generated by in situ sequencing (GTC-tool – Genes-To-Count), we identified a tumor gene signature to subclassify tissue into neoplastic and non-neoplastic tissue structures. Three differentially expressed genes (FGFR2, MMP11 and OTOP2) in the neoplastic tissue compartments of patients who developed a relapse in comparison to non-relapsed patients were identified, which predict recurrence in stage II colon cancer (Sallinger et al., 2023). Additionally, to confirm the specificity of the used technology, cell-phenotyping of one patient sample was performed by using the in situ sequencing generated data. In conclusion, this thesis highlights the importance of understanding the biological processes that contribute to tumor dissemination and provides insight into the underlying mechanisms. We were the first to apply a direct RNA-hybridization based in situ sequencing approach in colon cancer for the purpose of identifying new potential biomarkers. This could lead to more effective and precise therapies for colon cancer stage II patients.