Quantitative Analysis of Differential Expression of HOX Genes in Multiple Cancers

Transcription factors encoded byHomeobox(HOX) genes play numerous key functions during early embryonic development and differentiation. Multiple reports have shown that mis-regulation ofHOXgene expression plays key roles in the development of cancers. Their expression levels in cancers tend to differ based on tissue and tumor type. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis comparingHOXgene expression in different cancer types, obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), with matched healthy tissues, obtained from Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx). We identified and quantified differential expression patterns that confirmed previously identified expression changes and highlighted new differential expression signatures. We discovered differential expression patterns that are in line with patient survival data. This comprehensive and quantitative analysis provides a global picture ofHOXgenes' differential expression patterns in different cancer types.