Analysis for the mechanism between the small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer combing the miRNA and mRNA expression profiles

BACKGROUND: We investigated the relationship between small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) based on micro ribonucleic acid (miRNA) and messenger (m)RNA expression profiles. METHODS: Utilizing the differentially expressed mRNAs and the targeting miRNAs, the mRNA-miRNA network for the two cancers was constructed. By integrating the miRNA expression profile, drug, and drug targets, miRNA-drug target-drug networks were established and the mechanisms in drug therapy efficacy were compared between SCLC and NSCLC. RESULTS: Drug targets of different expressed miRNAs of SCLC are mainly located in the organelle, act in the electron carrier activity, and consist of the synapse; while drug targets of NSCLC are the membrane-enclosed lumen, mainly distributed in the extracellular region and synapse, and function in the binding. Drug targets of miRNA expressed commonly in the two cancers are involved in the reproduction multi-organism process. In SCLC, the miR-16 in the miRNA-drug target-drug network is significant and follows the result of the mRNA-miRNA network. The pigmentation and rhythmic process of SCLC is different from NSCLC, while the process of cellular component biogenesis and cellular component organization are important for the occurrence of NSCLC. miR-16 in the miRNA-mRNA-drug network of SCLC is significant and we acquired 11 potential drugs, such as dexamethasone and budesonide. The miR-124 for NSCLC is important in the network and 17 potential drugs were screened, including dexamethasone and budesonide. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that miR-16 and miR-124 might be novel diagnostic and prognostics markers for SCLC and NSCLC, respectively.