Project title: The Role of Extracellular Vesicle Mediated snoRNA Transfer in Breast Cancer Progression
Project No.: lzp-2025/1-0453
Period: 1 January 2026 – 31 December 2028
Project costs: 300 000,00 EUR
Principal Investigator: Dr. biol. Lilite Sadovska
Project summary:
Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common types of cancer in women, and in order to effectively treat and control it, a better understanding of its molecular mechanisms is essential. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small particles enclosed with phospholipid bilayer that can contain RNA, DNA, proteins, lipids and other molecules, and serve as a crucial mechanism for intercellular communication. In previous studies, we have demonstrated that EVs derived from breast and prostate cancer patients contain snoRNAs and snoRNA-derived small RNAs (sdRNAs), while in plasma EVs from healthy controls the level of these molecules was much lower. Additionally, the levels of 23 snoRNAs decreased after surgery, suggesting they originated from tumor-associated cells, and 13 snoRNAs were linked to poor responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
The goal of this project is to explore the functions of selected snoRNAs/sdRNAs in BC development and progression. This will be achieved by investigating the significance of these snoRNAs in breast cancer cell lines through snoRNA knockdown or overexpression, and the effects will be analysed by long-read and direct RNA sequencing. Furthermore, we will assess the transfer of EV-encapsulated snoRNAs to the tumor microenvironment and their impact on the cells within this environment. Gaining such insights could open new possibilities for targeted drug therapies and provide potential biomarkers to aid in both early tumor diagnosis and prognosis.
Information published 05.01.2026.
Progress of the project:
1 January 2026 – 31 March 2026
The implementation of the project has been initiated, including the successful organization of a project kick-off meeting that brought together all individuals involved in the project. During the meeting, the project objectives, key tasks, as well as principles for future collaboration and work organization were discussed, ensuring a shared understanding of the project’s implementation process.
At the initial stage of the project, an application for ethical approval has been prepared and submitted, and a data management plan has been developed, defining procedures for data processing, storage, and protection. In parallel, a detailed plan for the upcoming experiments has been established, outlining the methodology and required resources. The necessary reagents and materials have also been ordered to ensure the timely initiation of experimental work.
Furthermore, the selection of the most promising snoRNA and sdRNA candidates for further research has been carried out. These candidates are planned to be tested in extracellular vesicles derived from the plasma of healthy donors and breast cancer patients, in order to evaluate their diagnostic and scientific relevance. Within the framework of the study, 23 healthy donors have already been recruited, and plasma samples have been collected for use in subsequent experiments.
Information published 31.03.2026.