Analysis of dynamic molecular networks: the progression from colorectal adenoma to cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. It is the fourth most deadly cancer in the world with nearly 900,000 people die every year, the progression of polyps into cancer as one of its most common developmental pathways.

This study obtained gene chip data collections from the Gene Expression Omnibus for colorectal adenoma (GSE8671) and colorectal cancer (GSE32323). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in normal tissue and different stages of CRC were analyzed for clustering, comparison, and visualization using R software. The Cytoscape plugin DyNetViewer was used to construct a dynamic protein-protein interaction network. Subsequently, through the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery, the DEGs were functionally annotated and path enriched.

Our study found that the matrix metalloprotein family and chemokines were the key regulatory genes that drove CRC progression. The Wnt signaling pathway, chemokine signaling pathway, and CRC pathway were the pathological pathways for CRC. Maintenance played an important role in this process. In addition, the related nodes and pathways at various stages may be potential mechanisms for promoting dynamic CRC progression.

Our study provides a better understanding of the dynamic pattern of molecular interaction networks during CRC progression and provides relevant markers for more accurate screening of cancer in polyps.