Stage-specific coexpression network analysis of Myc in cohorts of renal cancer

The present study investigates the molecular dynamics of Myc in normal precursors and in different stages (I/II/III/IV) of cohorts of renal cancer using two distinct yet complementary approaches: gene expression and gene coexpression. We also analysed the variation of coexpression networks of Myc through the stage-wise progression of renal cancer cohorts. Myc expression is significantly higher in stage I compared to normal tissue but changed inconsistently across stages of renal cancer. We identified that Myc consistently coexpressed with fourteen genes in the KIPAN [Pan-kidney cohort (KICH + KIRC + KIRP)] and eight in the KIRC (Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma) across all stages, providing potential prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers. Coexpression network complexity decreased from normal precursor tissues to associated tumour stage I in KIPAN and KIRC but was inconsistent after that. In the process of cancer development, there is generally lower cross-tissue cancer network homology observed among coexpressed genes with Myc during the normal to the stage I compared to the stage-wise progression of cancer. Overall, this research provides novel perceptions of the molecular causes of kidney cancer. It also highlights potential genes and pathways crucial for diagnosing and treating this disease.