Molecular network analysis of RNA viral infection pathway in diffuse- and intestinal-type gastric cancer

There are several subtypes of gastric cancer, such as diffuse-type gastric cancer (GC) and intestinal-type GC. Diffuse-type GC is known to be more malignant than intestinal-type GC, showing high metastasis, recurrence and anti-cancer drug resistance. The malignant phenotype of diffuse-type GC includes cancer stem cell (CSC)-like features and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). By analyzing the molecular network in these tumors, it is possible to reveal the mechanisms of anti-cancer drug resistance, therapeutic targets and drug safety. Upon the analyses of the molecular network in diffuse- and intestinal-type GC, a regulatory network for RNA virus infection was obtained. This study aims to reveal the relationship between cancer and RNA virus infection in detail. RNA virus infection-related molecules and cancer-related molecules were analyzed using network analysis tools, such as Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA), and molecular networks related to RNA virus infection mechanisms. Regulator effect analysis revealed the involvement of RNA virus infection network in diffuse-type GC. c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and BCL2 like 11 (BCL2L11) in the Coronavirus Pathogenesis Pathway were activated. In conclusion, this research suggested the relationship between the mechanisms of RNA virus infection and diffuse-type GC. This study may be useful for virus infection control and cancer drug discovery by clarifying the relationship between the mechanism of RNA virus infection and cancer.