Gene-Expression Profile Changes Correlated with Tumor Progression and Lymph Node Metastasis in Esophageal Cancer

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to identify molecular clues to tumor progression and lymph node metastasis in esophageal cancer and to test their value as predictive markers.Experimental Design: We explored the gene expression profiles in cDNA array data of a 36-tissue training set of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) by using generalized linear model-based regression analysis and a feature subset selection algorithm. By applying the identified optimal feature sets (predictive gene sets), we trained and developed ensemble classifiers consisting of multiple probabilistic neural networks combined with AdaBoosting to predict tumor stages and lymph node metastasis. We validated the classifier abilities with 18 independent cases of ESCC. Conclusion: We suggest that these characteristic genes will provide useful information for understanding the malignant nature of ESCC as well as information useful for personalizing the treatments.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinomas with distinct invasive depth show different gene expression profiles associated with lymph node metastasis

“…and abbreviations were obtained from the URL website (http://www.ncbi.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=gene). (18). Thus, in conjunction with our present finding, we propose that predictors for LN metastasis in ESCC should be established separately according to tumor invasion depth (pT1 and pT2-4) to obtain high predictive ability in a large cohort.…”

“…With respect to ESCC, there have been many DNA microarray studies identifying genes related to pathogenesis or therapy of ESCC (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16); however, only two studies considered and analyzed LN metastasis (17,18). Kan et al (17) reported that molecular profiling of 60 genes accurately predicted LN metastasis in 10 of 13 (77%) ESCCs.…”

“…Kan et al (17) reported that molecular profiling of 60 genes accurately predicted LN metastasis in 10 of 13 (77%) ESCCs. Molecular profiling by Tamoto et al (18) correctly predicted LN metastasis in 16 of 18 (89%) ESCCs. However, in these studies (17,18), the number of samples tested was too small to validate the predictive performance or to clarify the molecular basis of LN metastasis.…”

“…Molecular profiling by Tamoto et al (18) correctly predicted LN metastasis in 16 of 18 (89%) ESCCs. However, in these studies (17,18), the number of samples tested was too small to validate the predictive performance or to clarify the molecular basis of LN metastasis. To resolve these issues, molecular profiling of a larger number of samples is needed.…”

Transcriptional profiling suggests that Barrett's metaplasia is an early intermediate stage in esophageal adenocarcinogenesis

“…Gene expression profiling studies have been used in the examination of cancer progression, diagnosis, drug target discovery, and gene therapy evaluation (Brabender et al, 2004;Chang et al, 2004;Tamoto et al, 2004). Our previous cDNA microarray-based expression profiling studies global genetic signatures in esophageal cancer Xu et al, 2002).…”