Network analysis of differentially expressed MicroRNAs in four human cancers for drug discovery

Identification of drug gable targets is a main step in the drug discovery and development process for complex diseases such as cancer. During recent years network-based drug discovery have become a fruitful field of study. In this study, we have analyzed network of differentially expressed MicroRNAs in six human cancers to find potential drug targets. The microarray data on six human cancers were reanalyzed and differentially expressed miRNAs were extracted using FlexArray software. Pathway Studio 9 software was used to construct network. The network analysis was also performed on Cytoscape software. Expression analysis showed that several common microRNAs were over-expressed in all of cancers such as hsa-mir-200c and hsa-miR-21. While some of these microRNAs were detected as common down-expressed microRNAs in these cancers. Network construction and analysis also revealed the key role of some genes and microRNAs in the gene/microRNA integrated network, including Zeb1, CXCL12, JAG2, hsa-mir-200b and hsa-mir-200c. These results suggest the potential of these targets in cancer therapy. In general, integrating network biology and pharmacology holds the promise of expanding the current opportunity space for druggable targets.