Biomarkers of the Complement System in Cancer

Abstract

Objective: Cancer is a disease characterized by an unregulated division of abnormal cells in the body. The discovery of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes has paved the way for the targeted use of individual biomarkers and proteins in cancer therapy. The signaling pathways in cells are closely linked, and research into these connections would lead to more precise personalized treatments for cancer. An imbalance in the complement system is associated with the development and progression of cancer. Comparable variations in gene expression and common complement biomarkers in different cancer types are poorly understood. This study aims to gain insights into biomarkers linking the complement system to carcinogenesis. Methods: Clinical and transcriptome data from the cancer genome atlas were used to analyze differentially expressed genes involved in the complement system in different cancer types. Various bioinformatics and machine learning techniques were used to suggest complement pathway-related carcinogenesis biomarkers. Results: This study provides a comprehensive elucidation of component 7 (C7), complement factor-D (CFD), interleukin 11 (IL11), apolipoprotein C1 (APOC1), and integrin binding sialic acid protein (IBSP) proteins as common biomarkers associated with the complement system in cancer and highlights the diagnostic and prognostic potential of these biomarkers. Conclusions: These biomarkers would pave the way for targeted cancer treatments in the context of precision medicine.

Keywords

• neoplasms
• transcriptome
• systems biology
• complement system proteins