Comparative Analysis of Transcriptomic and Proteomic Expression between Two Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Subtypes

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is frequently diagnosed
late
and has poor survival. The two predominant subtypes of NSCLC, adenocarcinoma
(LUAD) and squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), are currently differentially
diagnosed using immunohistochemical markers; however, they are increasingly
recognized as very different cancer types suggestive of potential
for new, more targeted therapies. There are extensive efforts to find
more precise and noninvasive differential diagnostic tools. Here,
we examined these two NSCLC subtypes for differences that may inform
treatment and identify potential novel therapeutic pathways. We presented
a comparative analysis of transcriptomic and proteomic expression
in tumors from a cohort of 22 NSCLC patients: 8 LUSC and 14 LUAD.
Comparing NSCLC subtypes, we found differential gene expression related
to cell differentiation for LUSC and cellular structure and immune
response regulation for LUAD. Differential protein expression between
NSCLC subtypes was related to extracellular structure for LUSC and
metabolic processes, including glucose metabolism for LUAD. This direct
comparison was more informative about subtype-specific pathways than
between each subtype and control (nontumor) tissues. Many of our observations
between NSCLC subtypes support and inform existing observations and
reveal differences that may aid research seeking to identify and validate
novel subtype biomarkers or druggable targets.