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Sarcoma miRNA Expression Database for Cancer Treatment

Technology Benefits

MiRNAs were discovered relatively recently and their functions are still being studied. Our lab is the first to study miRNAs in sarcomas using cutting edge ultra high throughput detection procedures. The data in this Sarcoma miRNA Expression Database is not available through any other researchers or organizations across the globe. It would be extremely difficult for researchers to independently assemble the tumors in this dataset due to their rarity. The Sarcoma MiRNA Expression Database allows users to define the miRNA types or relationships they are interested in studying, instead of being limited by previously analyzed data. This is the first database that allows users across the globe to search and view microRNA expression levels in different sarcomas through a web interface.

Technology Application

DNA microarray studies have identified differentially expressed genes in various sarcomas. Many of these genes are regulated by miRNAs. MiRNAs are non-coding regulatory small RNAs that display tissue and stage specific expression. By accelerating the understanding and identification of miRNAs in sarcomas, the Sarcoma miRNA Expression Database facilitates the development of miRNA-based cancer biomarkers for different sarcoma subtypes. These miRNAs can also be used to differentiate the stages of the tumors (i.e., primary or metastatic) and the origin of the metastatic tumors. The database facilitates the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of different types of sarcomas, for which very few diagnostic markers currently exist.

Detailed Technology Description

None

*Abstract

The Sarcoma miRNA Expression Database (S-MED) provides comprehensive information about microRNA expression patterns in sarcomas and other relevant cancer tissue types, helping the diagnosis, classification, prognosis, and treatment of malignant tumors. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small RNAs regulating expressed genes in human sarcomas, can assist in the development of cancer treatments. However, miRNA expression patterns in sarcomas are poorly understood and no central information resource exists. The Sarcoma miRNA Expression Database addresses this gap by systematically providing comprehensive sarcoma miRNA expression profiles. The database is the first of its kind and not available anywhere else in the world. The database is web-accessible and provides both basic and advanced search options.The Sarcoma miRNA Expression Database contains the miRNA expression patterns for 310 tissue samples representing 22 sarcoma types. The database replaces frozen tumor tissue samples, the availability of which is a major challenge in studying sarcoma miRNA or gene expression patterns. The database also includes experimentally validated unique miRNA expression levels in angiosarcoma and other uncommon sarcomas. In addition, the database includes miRNA expression data from normal tissues such as bone, smooth muscle, and skeletal muscle, and from benign tumors such as neurofibroma and leiomyoma for comparative studies with their malignant counterparts. To make the information easy to understand, the database uses heat maps to visualize information and color codes to represent data in absolute and relative formats. Each miRNA is linked to the database so that users can easily track its basic information. Statistical details are provided, such as fold changes and P-values for differentially expressed miRNAs in each sarcoma type and corresponding normal tissues.

*Principal Investigator

Name: Subbaya Subramanian, Assistant Professor

Department: Department of Lab Medicine and Pathology

Country/Region

USA