Stage analysis of gastric cancer: a bioinformatic approach.

AIM: Analysis of stage transition in gastric cancer is the aim of this project.

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer, as a lethal digestive cancer, is classified based on tumor, node, and metastasis. Early detection of gastric cancer facilitates cancer management and treatment.

METHODS

Data on gene expression changes at different stages of gastric cancer are extracted from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and evaluated using the GEO2R program to identify significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The queried DEGs were enriched via Gene Ontology to explore dysregulated pathways. The crucial DEGs were identified via directed protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis.

RESULTS

Analyses revealed that stage IA → stage IIA and stage IB → stage IIB transitions in gastric cancer are accompanied by considerable numbers of significant DEGs. MYC, "Nitric oxide metabolism in cystic fibrosis", and "Hepatitis C and hepatocellular carcinoma" are the critical dysregulate gene and pathways in the stage IB → stage IIB transition. ACTG2, MYH11, CDKN2A, MS4A2, and FCER1A were pointed out as the critical genes in the IA → IIA stage transition.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, inhibition of MYC was introduced as a crucial point in preventing the stage IB → stage IIB transition, and "Smooth muscle damage" was identified as a key process in stage IA → stage IIA transition. Experimental validation is recommended to find the applicable findings.