The potential key genes and pathways associated with Wilms tumor in quest of proper candidates for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes

Abstract

Abstract To designate the probable most important differentially expressed genes and genetic pathways in Wilms tumor and assess their expression and diagnostic potential by RT-PCR and statistical analysis. Systematic review of the literature and various bioinformatics analysis was carried out to gather and narrow down data. The expression of end-resulting genes was compared in Wilms tumor and normal tissue samples using RT-PCR. Statistical tests reported the diagnostic accuracy of genes and their correlation with clinicopathological features. Four genes including CDH1, NCAM1, EGF, and IGF2 were designated. The panel combining them has 100% sensitivity and specificity in differentiating tumors from normal tissue. Eight pathways, most involved in cell–cell and cell-basal matrix junction interactions, were found to be associated with disease pathogenesis. The suggested genes should undergo further evaluation to be validated as diagnostic biomarkers. Further research on the eight proposed pathways is recommended.