MicroRNAs (miRNA) are a class of small regulatory RNAs that mediate post-transcriptional silencing of specific target mRNAs. Our overall hypotheses are that miRNA expression is unique to tumor molecular phenotype; that miRNA expression levels at time of diagnosis predicts survival; and that miRNA expression is associated with inflammation-related genetic and lifestyle factors key to colorectal cancer (CRC). This study takes a two pronged approach to addressing our hypotheses. While we propose to validate previously identified miRNAs that have been identified as associated with CRC (either by differential expression or from assessment of mutations), we will add to the field through discovery of new and important associations that may be unique to specific molecular phenotypes, to polyp to cancer progression, and to survival. We will analyze the expression of 866 human miRNAs using data derived from tumor and paired normal tissue at time of diagnosis from: 1660 people with incident colon cancer; 840 people with incident rectal cancer; and 350 polyps from our colon and rectal cases who reported a prior polyp; 5% of tumors, will be analyzed for quality control. Our total assessment will be on 5475 samples. We will extend the validation of previously identified mutated miRNAs and differentially expressed miRNAs to determine if these alterations are associated with specific tumor molecular phenotype, inflammation-related factors, clinical factors and survival. Important miRNAs will be validated using TaqMan-based assays. Associations will be tested based on differential expression for both individual and groups of miRNAs using recent extensions of several statistical methods including ANOVA, logistic regression, and Cox proportional hazards models. Our sample size allows for both a training and validation component, and provides sufficient statistical power to meet the study goals. MiRNAs that are differentially expressed in polyps and in subsequent tumors will provide new insights into targets for screening and treatment and differential miRNAs that function as the driver vs. the passenger in the carcinogenic process. Testing of mutated miRNAs identified from sequencing in conjunction with tumor phenotype, clinical, and survival data will further validate the importance of these miRNAs, and provide insight as to which CRC molecular pathway the miRNAs function. Our rich dataset of lifestyle, genetic, clinical and prognosis, and tumor molecular phenotype on 2500 CRC and paired normal tissue allows us to examine factors that are associated with miRNAs in a large set of population-based cases. The miRNAs identified in these analyses will elucidate pathways important in the etiology of CRC and will provide insight into potential targets for screening and treatment.

Public Health Relevance

Our rich dataset of lifestyle, genetic, clinical and prognosis, and tumor molecular phenotype on 2500 CRC (colorectal cancer) and paired normal tissue allows us to examine factors that are associated with miRNA expression and mutation in a large sample of population-based cases. Having data available on polyps from those cases who developed cancer, will help us determine 'drivers' vs. 'passengers' in the carcinogenic process. The miRNAs identified in these analyses will elucidate pathways important in the etiology of CRC and will provide insight into potential targets for screening and treatment.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
4R01CA163683-05
Application #
9111846
Study Section
Epidemiology of Cancer Study Section (EPIC)
Program Officer
Umar, Asad
Project Start
2012-09-08
Project End
2018-06-30
Budget Start
2016-07-01
Budget End
2017-06-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Utah
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
009095365
City
Salt Lake City
State
UT
Country
United States
Zip Code
84112
Slattery, Martha L; Lee, Frances Y; Pellatt, Andrew J et al. (2018) Infrequently expressed miRNAs in colorectal cancer tissue and tumor molecular phenotype. Mod Pathol 31:209
Slattery, Martha L; Mullany, Lila E; Wolff, Roger K et al. (2018) The p53-signaling pathway and colorectal cancer: Interactions between downstream p53 target genes and miRNAs. Genomics :
Slattery, Martha L; Mullany, Lila E; Sakoda, Lori C et al. (2018) The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway: Associations of miRNAs with dysregulated gene expression in colorectal cancer. Mol Carcinog 57:243-261
Slattery, Martha L; Mullany, Lila E; Sakoda, Lori et al. (2018) The NF-?B signalling pathway in colorectal cancer: associations between dysregulated gene and miRNA expression. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 144:269-283
Pellatt, Andrew J; Mullany, Lila E; Herrick, Jennifer S et al. (2018) The TGF?-signaling pathway and colorectal cancer: associations between dysregulated genes and miRNAs. J Transl Med 16:191
Slattery, Martha L; Mullany, Lila E; Sakoda, Lori C et al. (2018) The MAPK-Signaling Pathway in Colorectal Cancer: Dysregulated Genes and Their Association With MicroRNAs. Cancer Inform 17:1176935118766522
Wolff, Roger K; Hoffman, Michael D; Wolff, Erica C et al. (2018) Mutation analysis of adenomas and carcinomas of the colon: Early and late drivers. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 57:366-376
Slattery, Martha L; Mullany, Lila E; Sakoda, Lori C et al. (2018) Dysregulated genes and miRNAs in the apoptosis pathway in colorectal cancer patients. Apoptosis 23:237-250
Mullany, Lila E; Herrick, Jennifer S; Wolff, Roger K et al. (2018) MicroRNA-transcription factor interactions and their combined effect on target gene expression in colon cancer cases. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 57:192-202
Slattery, Martha L; Mullany, Lila E; Sakoda, Lori C et al. (2018) Expression of Wnt-signaling pathway genes and their associations with miRNAs in colorectal cancer. Oncotarget 9:6075-6085

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