Comprehensive bioinformatics analysis reveals prognostic significance and immunological roles of WNT gene family in breast cancer
Contact us if these videos are not relevant.
Contact us if these videos are not relevant.
View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.This study reveals WNT gene family roles in breast cancer (BRCA), identifying WNT2 as a prognostic indicator despite overexpression. WNTs also impact immunotherapy and drug sensitivity, offering precision oncology targets.
Area Of Science
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background
- Breast cancer (BRCA) is a leading cause of cancer death globally.
- The WNT (wingless type) gene family is implicated in various cancers, but its role in BRCA is understudied.
Purpose Of The Study
- To comprehensively analyze WNT gene family expression, clinical relevance, and prognostic value in BRCA.
- To investigate genetic alterations, DNA methylation, and drug sensitivity related to WNTs in BRCA.
- To explore novel connections between WNT signaling and other pathways, and their impact on treatment efficacy.
Main Methods
- Analysis of WNT gene expression patterns and clinical data using public databases (GEO, DepMap, cBioPortal, SMART, GSCA).
- Investigation of genetic alterations, DNA methylation, and drug sensitivity.
- Functional enrichment analysis and co-expression analysis.
Main Results
- WNT2 and WNT7B were upregulated, WNT11 downregulated in BRCA.
- WNT2 showed a paradoxical correlation with favorable prognosis despite overexpression.
- Gene amplification was the most common alteration, linked to immune infiltration and immunotherapy biomarkers.
- WNT signaling connects to neurodegenerative pathways and influences anti-cancer drug efficacy.
Conclusions
- WNT genes play a multifaceted role in BRCA development and progression.
- WNTs are identified as potential prognostic indicators and targets for immunotherapy and precision oncology in BRCA.
- Further clinical research into WNTs is warranted for improved BRCA treatment strategies.
Contact us if these videos are not relevant.
Contact us if these videos are not relevant.
Related Concept Videos
The gene encoding the main signaling molecules of the Wnt signaling pathways (the Wnt proteins) was discovered almost four decades ago by Nüsslein-Volhard and Wieschaus. They identified and originally named the gene "wingless" (wg) after a phenotype discovered during their landmark genetic screen in Drosophila for body pattern defects. At around the same time, another researcher named Harold Varmus found that a murine tumor virus activates the mammalian wg homolog, Int-1, which...
Wnt is a zygotic effect gene that is expressed during very early embryonic development. It regulates various processes in animals starting from early development through the adult stage, such as organogenesis in the embryo and maintenance of neuronal and blood stem cells. Wnt proteins can induce a wide variety of intracellular pathways depending upon the specific abilities of different Wnt ligands to form a complex with shared and cognate receptors in the presence of different co-receptors. The...
Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...