Identification of some Critical Genes Involved in the Development and Progression of Breast Cancer

Identification of some Critical Genes Involved in the Development and Progression of Breast Cancer
Javad Yaghmoorian Khojini,¹ Babak Negahdari,^2,*
1. Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2. Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent and deadly malignancies affecting women worldwide. Despite advances in treatment and early detection, it remains a significant health concern, accounting for a large proportion of cancer-related deaths. Early diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies are critical for improving patient outcomes. However, the complexity of breast cancer at the molecular level, driven by numerous genetic and epigenetic factors, presents a challenge in understanding its pathogenesis and progression. Biomarkers play a crucial role in the fight against breast cancer, serving as tools for early diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring therapeutic responses. They are measurable indicators of biological processes, including cancer development, and can guide clinicians in selecting the most effective treatments for individual patients. The identification of reliable biomarkers not only improves early detection but also helps in the development of targeted therapies that can minimize adverse effects and maximize treatment efficacy. In recent years, high-throughput technologies such as microarrays and next-generation sequencing have revolutionized the field of cancer research, enabling the comprehensive analysis of gene expression profiles in breast cancer tissues. This study aims to identify some critical genes that play a pivotal role in the development and progression of breast cancer. Understanding these gene expression changes can provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms driving breast cancer and highlight potential targets for the development of novel biomarkers and therapies. The ultimate goal is to improve the early detection and treatment of breast cancer, potentially leading to better outcomes for patients and a reduction in the global burden of this disease.
Methods: In the current study, a microarray dataset (GSE36295) was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO). The fold change (FC) values of individual genes levels were calculated; differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with |FC| >=1 and P-value < 0.05 were considered to be significant.
Results: A total of 50 samples were analyzed in this study, including 45 cases breast cancer tissue and 5 normal cases. Using the cut-off criteria, 470 down-regulated and 514 up-regulated genes were found. To identify the most influential genes in each group, we calculated the Degree for all upregulated and downregulated genes and selected the top 20 genes with the highest Degree values. Analysis showed that up-regulated genes involve in HSL-mediated triacylglycerol hydrolysis, lipid digestion, mobilization and transport, integrin-linked kinase signaling and developmental biology. And down regulated genes involved in cell cycle and mitotic, DNA replication, aurora B signaling and G2/M checkpoints.
Conclusion: These in silico predictions will highlight genes with potential functional roles in breast cancer, making them valuable candidates for biomarker development and targeted therapies.
Keywords: Breast cancer Biomarkers Gene expression Microarray analysis Differentially expressed genes (DEGs)