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Published on: August 16, 2017
Comparative meta-analysis between human and mouse cancer microarray data reveals critical pathways
Pankaj Chopra1, Jaewoo Kang2, Seung-Mo Hong3
1Department of Computer Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA. pchopra@ncsu.edu
Abstract:
Identification of deregulated biomolecular pathways in cancer may be more important than identification of individual genes through differential expression. We have analysed data from 87 microarray datasets, spanning 25 different types of cancer, and have identified several hundred pathways that are statistically significant (p < 0.01) and deregulated in cancer. We also conducted a meta-analysis of 18 mouse cancer datasets and found that a statistically significant number of ontology terms are common between human and mouse cancers and known for their role in carcinogenesis. These point to critical pathways that are disrupted in both human and mouse cancers.
Insights
Identifying disrupted biological pathways in cancer is crucial. This study found hundreds of deregulated pathways across 25 human cancers and commonalities with mouse models, highlighting key cancer mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Bioinformatics
- Genomics
Background:
- Identifying individual differentially expressed genes in cancer has limitations.
- Understanding deregulated biomolecular pathways offers a more comprehensive view of cancer biology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify statistically significant and deregulated biomolecular pathways across diverse cancer types.
- To investigate conserved cancer-related pathways between human and mouse models.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 87 human cancer microarray datasets.
- Meta-analysis of 18 mouse cancer datasets.
- Statistical analysis to identify significant deregulated pathways and common ontology terms.
Main Results:
- Identification of several hundred statistically significant (p < 0.01) deregulated pathways in 25 human cancer types.
- Significant overlap in ontology terms between human and mouse cancers, many known for roles in carcinogenesis.
- Confirmation of critical pathways disrupted in both human and mouse cancers.
Conclusions:
- Deregulated biomolecular pathways are key indicators in cancer, potentially more so than individual gene expression.
- Conserved pathways between human and mouse cancers provide valuable insights into fundamental carcinogenesis mechanisms.
- This pathway-centric approach aids in understanding cancer biology and identifying therapeutic targets.
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