Network analysis of grade II into grade III transition in rectum cancer patients

AIM: Finding important differential genes between grade II and grade III of rectum cancer was the aim of this study. BACKGROUND: Colorectal (CRC) cancers (CRC) are known as the third diagnosed cancer and the second leading to death cancers. Life style is an important risk factor of CRCs. Diagnosis of rectum cancer estimated as 44% of colon cancer. METHODS: Differentially expressed genes (DEGS) related to grade II into grade II in 6 patients are retrieved from gene expression omnibus (GEO) and investigated by protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Central nodes of the network are identified and enriched to determine biochemical pathways. Action map is illustrated for the central genes. RESULTS: Among 15 central genes including AKT1, PRDM10, GAPDH, TP53, SRC, EGFR, ALB, INS, CTNNB1, EGF, IL6, RHOA, DECR1, ACACA, GMPS role of AKT1 is highlighted due to prominent role in the integrity of the network and participation in the most determined pathways. However, significant regulatory effect of INS, AKT1, EGF, EGFR, and CTNNB1 is tinted in action map. CONCLUSION: It seems that AKT1, EGFR, and TP3 are suitable drug targets to prevent rectum cancer progression.