Drug-induced change in gene expression across NCI-60 cell lines after exposure to 15 anticancer agents for 2, 6 and 24h (paclitaxel)

To identify patterns of drug-induced gene modulation that occur across different cell types, we measured gene expression changes across NCI-60 cell lines after exposure to 15 anticancer agents. The results were integrated into a database and set of interactive analysis tools, the NCI Transcriptional Pharmacodynamics Workbench (NCI TPW), intended to allow exploration of gene expression modulation, including by molecular pathway, drug target, and association with drug sensitivity. We identified common transcriptional responses across drugs and cell types and uncovered cell signaling pathway–specific gene expression changes associated with drug sensitivity. We also demonstrated the value of this tool for investigating clinically relevant molecular hypotheses, utilizing the NCI TPW to assess drug-induced expression changes in genes associated with immune function and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and to identify candidate biomarkers for drug activity. The NCI TPW provides a comprehensive resource to facilitate understanding of tumor cell characteristics that define sensitivity to anticancer drugs. To compare and contrast transcriptional responses over time, in the NCI-60 cell line panel after treatment with 15 anticancer agents.