Identification of Population Specific Biomarkers for the Early Detection and Treatment of Lung Cancer.

Abstract

Introduction: Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, particularly in urban populations. Despite significant advances in research, understanding the genetic differences in lung cancer across diverse populations remains limited.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate differential gene expression (DEGs) in lung cancer among three populations: Asian, White, and African, to identify common upregulated genes and explore their potential as therapeutic targets.

Methods: Lung cancer and normal tissue samples from three populations (15 cancer samples and 6 normal tissue samples per group) were sourced from the TCGA-NCI portal and processed through the GDC portal. DESeq2 and ggplot2 packages in R Studio were used for DEG analysis and visualization. Only upregulated genes were considered for further analysis, and a Venn diagram was used to identify common DEGs. Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) networks and hub genes were then identified, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) analysis of hub genes.

Results: A total of 1,303 common DEGs were identified across the three populations, with 15 hub genes found to be central to tumorigenic processes. PPI analysis highlighted key hub genes that may serve as potential therapeutic targets.

Conclusions: This study enhances our understanding of lung cancer biology across different populations and underscores the importance of common hub genes in tumorigenesis. These findings support personalized oncology approaches to improve outcomes and address health disparities.