Analysis of Transposon Control Pathways in Germinal Cancers of the Testicle (SEMINOMES)

University Hospital Center (CHU) Dijon Bourgogne

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Germinal Cancers of the Testicle

Treatments: Genetic: Extraction of total RNA from healthy and tumour tissues

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02873793

FAUQUE 2014

Details and patient eligibility

About

By analogy with the mouse, the activity of control pathways for transposable elements (TE) in foetal primordial germinal cells could prove to be a determinant for fertility in adulthood in humans. Moreover, defects in the control of transposable elements (TE) could also contribute to the aetiology of germinal testicular cancer, by inducing chromosomal instability and tumorigenesis. In this context, the aim is to analyse a specific type of adult germinal testicular cancers, seminomas. Directly related to our research interest, the histological, transcriptomic and epigenetic features of theses adult tumours are reminiscent of germinal cells normally present in foetuses. The investigator postulates that these similarities could also extend to the biology of transposable elements (TE), and in particular to the initiation of the control of these elements. The management of seminomas requires surgery, orchiectomy, which consists of the total excision of the affected testicles. Using high-resolution high-throughput sequencing techniques, we propose to analyse the control pathways of transposable elements (TE) in tumour samples harvested from surgical pieces in comparison with adjacent healthy tissue. The results obtained in these tumour samples will be compared with those in normal foetal gonad samples.

Enrollment: 15 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• men who have provided oral consent
• men with germinal testicular cancer with negative or low serum markers (Alpha Foeto Protein AFP and Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin hCG), indicators of a seminomatous-type tumour
• men who have undergone orchiectomy (total excision of the affected testicle)
• confirmation of the diagnosis of seminomatous or non-seminomatous type by histology of the surgical piece
• absence of hepatitis B or C or infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Exclusion criteria

• men without national health insurance cover
• Adults under guardianship

Trial design

15 participants in 3 patient groups

7/8 cases pure seminomas

Treatment:

Genetic: Extraction of total RNA from healthy and tumour tissues

5 cases of non-seminoma

Treatment:

Genetic: Extraction of total RNA from healthy and tumour tissues

3 cases of composite tumours seminoma/non-seminoma.

Treatment:

Genetic: Extraction of total RNA from healthy and tumour tissues