Local sparse bump hunting reveals molecular heterogeneity of colon tumors.

ABSTRACT: The question of molecular heterogeneity and of tumoral phenotype in cancer remains unresolved. To understand the underlying molecular basis of this phenomenon, we analyzed genome-wide expression data of colon cancer metastasis samples, as these tumors are the most advanced and hence would be anticipated to be the most likely heterogeneous group of tumors, potentially exhibiting the maximum amount of genetic heterogeneity. Casting a statistical net around such a complex problem proves difficult because of the high dimensionality and multicollinearity of the gene expression space, combined with the fact that genes act in concert with one another and that not all genes surveyed might be involved. We devise a strategy to identify distinct subgroups of samples and determine the genetic/molecula

SUBMITTER: Dazard JE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3668571 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature