Molecular correlates of patient survival involve metabolic pathways: Part A

When viewed in the context of metabolism, the molecular survival correlates highlight a widespread metabolic shift, with tumors altering their usage of key pathways and metabolites (red and blue shading representing the correlation of increased gene expression with worse or better survival respectively, univariate Cox based on extended cohort). Worse survival correlates with upregulation of pentose phosphate pathway genes (G6PH, PGLS, TALDO and TKT), fatty acid synthesis genes (ACC and FASN), and PI(3)K pathway enhancing genes (miR-21). Better survival correlates with upregulation of AMPK complex genes, multiple Krebs cycle genes and PI(3)K pathway inhibitors (PTEN, TSC2). Additionally, specific promoter methylation events, including hypermethylation of PI(3)K pathway repressor GRB10, associate with outcome.