Abstract 3399: Detection and validation of novel RNA cancer biomarkers by single molecule RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (smRNA FISH)

RNA biomarkers are discovered and validated through advanced transcriptome analysis at a fast pace. These markers that allow the interrogation of the active genes hold promise for more precise staging, prognosis, and treatment of cancer. Long RNA markers comprise pre-mRNAs found in the cell nucleus, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that may be found in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm, as well as mature and mostly cytoplasmic mRNAs. Importantly, comparative studies in mouse have demonstrated that transcript levels are more strongly correlated with clinical traits than the corresponding protein levels. Because lncRNA and mRNA biomarkers have the potential to contribute to the development of targeted cancer therapies, there is an obvious need for a robust and dependable methodology to reliably detect and validate these RNA targets. RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (RNA FISH) provides a powerful means to detect specific RNAs in single cells, while still maintaining tissue morphology. Significant advances in RNA FISH technology, such as the hybridization of multiple, fluorescently labeled 20-mer oligonucleotides to the RNA target, allow for the detection of single RNAs and yields information on the RNA's distinct spatial distribution within tissues and even within cells. In this study, we investigate emerging RNA biomarkers in prostate cancer cell lines and tissue utilizing RNA FISH. We also examine established breast cancer biomarkers such as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2 / ERBB2), estrogen receptor α (ER α / ESR1), and progesterone receptor (PR / PGR) in breast cancer tumors and cell lines. The results and tools presented here will contribute to advancing the current capabilities of the detection and treatment of specific cancers, as well as in the continued discovery and development of cancer drug candidates. Citation Format: Hans E. Johansson, Arturo V. Orjalo, Sally R. Coassin, Raymund Yin. Detection and validation of novel RNA cancer biomarkers by single molecule RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (smRNA FISH). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3399. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3399