Gene expression differences between colon and rectum tumors.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Colorectal cancer studies typically include both colon and rectum tumors as a common entity, though this assumption is controversial and only minor differences have been reported at the molecular and epidemiologic level. We conducted a molecular study based on gene expression data of tumors from colon and rectum to assess the degree of similarity between these cancer sites at transcriptomic level.

Experimental design

A pooled analysis of 460 colon tumors and 100 rectum tumors from four data sets belonging to three independent studies was conducted. Microsatellite instable tumors were excluded as these are known to have a different expression profile and have a preferential proximal colon location. Expression differences were assessed with linear models, and significa

SUBMITTER: Sanz-Pamplona R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3229689 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature