Text mining‑based drug discovery in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Yuyan Pan1, Yong Zhang1, Jiaqi Liu1

  • 1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.

Oncology Reports
|October 2, 2018
PubMed

Insights

This study used computational tools to identify 121 genes and 10 molecular pathways linked to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Researchers found 55 potential drugs, including chemotherapy agents and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), for cSCC treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Computational Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is a prevalent skin cancer with limited therapeutic options.
  • Existing drug therapies for cSCC show restricted efficacy and utility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify genes and molecular pathways associated with cSCC using computational approaches.
  • To explore potential drug treatments targeting identified molecular pathways for cSCC.

Main Methods:

  • Text mining and GeneCodis were employed to identify cSCC-related genes.
  • Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis was conducted using STRING and Cytoscape.
  • cBioPortal was utilized for gene characteristic analysis and drug selection, followed by drug-gene interaction analysis.

Main Results:

  • A total of 121 genes associated with cSCC were identified through text mining.
  • Gene enrichment analysis revealed 11 key genes involved in 10 distinct molecular pathways.
  • Fifty-five drugs, including chemotherapy agents, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and others, were identified as potential treatments targeting these pathways.

Conclusions:

  • In silico text mining and pathway analysis offer a viable method for discovering candidate drugs for cSCC.
  • This approach can identify drugs targeting specific genes and pathways relevant to cSCC, paving the way for novel treatment strategies.

Related Concept Videos

Drug Discovery: Overview01:26

Drug Discovery: Overview

Drug discovery is a multifaceted process involving extensive screening, testing, and optimization of lead compounds to identify potential new drugs for therapeutic use. It combines several approaches, including screening large numbers of natural products, chemical modification of known active molecules, identification of new drug targets, and rational design based on biological mechanisms and drug-receptor structure. These approaches are carried out in both academic research laboratories and...
11.6K
Cardiovascular Drugs: Classification based on Therapeutic Indications01:18

Cardiovascular Drugs: Classification based on Therapeutic Indications

Cardiovascular diseases, encompassing a range of conditions, can significantly affect the heart's operations and the overall circulatory system. These conditions impair the heart's ability to pump blood, leading to a deficit in oxygen supply to crucial organs. Anomalies in the heart's electrical system, known as arrhythmias, can cause heartbeats to accelerate or slow down. Usually, heart rates increase during physical activity and decrease while resting or sleeping. However,...
4.2K
Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition for which new therapeutic avenues, including anti-inflammatory drugs like mast cell stabilizers and anti-IgE treatments, continue to be developed.
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
1.8K
Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Dose Adjustments Based on Drug Clearance and Elimination Rate Constant01:25

Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Dose Adjustments Based on Drug Clearance and Elimination Rate Constant

In patients with renal disease, dosage adjustments are necessary to maintain therapeutic plasma drug concentrations and prevent toxicity or subtherapeutic exposure. Renal impairment alters drug pharmacokinetics, especially in conditions like uremia, where changes such as prolonged elimination half-life and altered apparent volume of distribution can significantly affect drug disposition. These changes require careful modification of the dosing regimen to achieve the desired clinical...
225
Pharmacokinetics: Drug–Drug Interactions01:25

Pharmacokinetics: Drug–Drug Interactions

Drug interactions occur when the pharmacological effect of one drug is altered by another substance, either enhancing or diminishing its activity. The drug whose activity is altered is known as the object drug, and the substance causing the alteration is called the agent drug or the precipitant. The net effects of these interactions are mostly undesirable, leading to decreased effectiveness or increased adverse effects. In rare cases, interactions can be beneficial, such as the enhanced...
447
Bioequivalence of Drugs: Drugs with Multiple Indications01:09

Bioequivalence of Drugs: Drugs with Multiple Indications

The concept of therapeutic equivalence (TE) in drugs with multiple indications is complex. A generic drug may be therapeutically equivalent to a brand-name product for one specific indication, but this doesn't necessarily mean it's equivalent for all other indications. Evidence of TE in one patient group and bioequivalence shown in healthy volunteers can support—but not confirm—TE for other indications. However, definitive proof requires individual clinical studies for each...
160