Molecular-level effects of eribulin and paclitaxel on breast cancer based on differential co-expression network...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Genomics
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• Breast cancer (BC) treatment involves chemotherapeutic agents like eribulin and paclitaxel.
• Understanding the molecular mechanisms of these drugs is crucial for optimizing BC therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the molecular biomarkers and pathways affected by eribulin and paclitaxel in breast cancer.
• To identify potential therapeutic targets through network analysis.

Main Methods:

• Differential gene expression analysis was performed on BC cell lines treated with eribulin and paclitaxel.
• Co-expression network construction and hub gene identification using network centrality.
• Pathway-enrichment analysis to identify significantly affected biological pathways.
• Validation of identified hub genes using polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.

Main Results:

• 132 differentially expressed genes were identified with eribulin treatment and 153 with paclitaxel treatment.
• Six hub genes were identified across two co-expression networks.
• The spliceosome pathway was identified as a significantly enriched pathway common to both treatments.
• Bioinformatic findings were largely consistent with experimental validation.

Conclusions:

• Eribulin and paclitaxel exert their effects on breast cancer through distinct and overlapping molecular mechanisms.
• Network analysis successfully identified key genes and pathways, including the spliceosome, relevant to eribulin and paclitaxel action in BC.
• The identified hub genes and pathways may represent potential targets for future breast cancer therapies.