Hovey, Adriann

Initially we identified miR-888 arrays as highly over-expressed in endometrial cancers through Taqman Low Density qPCR-based. Upon individual qPCR validations, we observed that miR-888 was specifically and significantly over-expressed in endometrial carcinosarcomas, a very aggressive form of endometrial cancer. The expression of miR-888 also negatively correlated with the age of onset of endometrial cancers. Therefore, we hypothesize that miR-888 may be playing a functional role in endometrial carcinogenesis and could serve as a potential biomarker for aggressive endometrial carcinomas. Currently I am working on identifying and validating potential targets of miR-888 and characterizing the phenotypic effects of miR-888 over-expression. In addition, I am working on isolating RNA from exosomes obtained from endometrial cancer patient serum. This RNA will be used to quantitate the levels of miR-888 and evaluate the potential of miR-888 as a biomarker for aggressive endometrial carcinomas.