Eine Signatur von 112 Genen identifiziert Patienten mit günstiger Prognose beim kolorektalen Karzinom

Abstract

The value of gene expression signatures for prognosis prediction in solid cancers remains controversial [1–4]. Here, we aim to identify a module of coexpressed genes and to assess its use as a prognostic signature for colorectal cancer. Two public colorectal cancer microarray data sets (GEO database) and an own data set were used for discovery and validation of the signature. Own data were generated from laser microdissected tumor cryotissue and Affymetrix Gene Chip hybridization of 62 patients (29 colon & 33 rectal cancers; 13 UICC I, 21 UICC II, 23 UICC III, 5 UICC IV). For statistical analyses we used software R. We could identify and validate a prognostic module of 112 coexpressed genes. Colorectal cancer patients with low expression of the signature generally had a favourable prognosis (p = 0.011). Literature gene network analysis revealed that among the co-expressed genes known direct transcriptional targets of c-myc, ESR1 and p53 are enriched. In summary, colorectal cancer patients with favorable prognosis could be identified by means of a 112 gene expression signature based on public and own data sets. The coexpressed genes seemed to be linked to proliferation and apoptosis possibly by regulation through c-myc, ESR1 and p53 and might be an alternative predictor of colorectal cancer prognosis.