Abstract: ObjectiveTo pinpoint angiogenesis- and lymphangiogenesis-related genes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
MethodsBased on the reported microarray data which identified831differentially expressed genes in NPC tissues and the
latest genomic information, we selected 246genes for analysis with the smallest differential expression threshold of260. Gene
function analysis and network construction was carried out based on literature mining for analysis of the signaling pathways
related with angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis of NPC. ResultsThe246 genes were related with such keywords as
nasopharyngeal carcinoma, EB virus, metastasis, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and invasion. Particularly, we found that
up to52genes were associated with angiogenesis (P=0.00001), and19genes form12related gene pairs (P=0.0042). Twenty-one
lymphangiogenesis-related genes were identified (P=0.00001), and 6of these genes formed a gene network (P=0.0226). Eight
genes, including PTGS2, participated in the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway, which was closely related to angiogenesis in
small cell lung cancer (P=7.87E-07). Five genes, including STAT1and CXCL10, participated in toll-like receptor signaling
pathway (P=0.00176).ConclusionPTGS2and NF-κB promote angiogenesis of NPC, and the role of toll-like receptor signaling
pathway in lymphangiogenesis warrants further investigation.