Workshop: Algorithms for discovery of mutated pathways in cancer

Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm is applied to several cancer types including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), lung adenocarcinoma, and ovarian carcinoma (OV). HotNet identifies significant subnetworks that are part of well-known cancer pathways as well as novel subnetworks. Among the most significant subnetworks identified in OV data is the Notch signaling pathway. HotNet is used to identify mutated pathways associated with patient survival. In the TCGA OV data, 9 subnetworks containing genes whose mutations are associated with survival is discovered. Genes in 4 of these subnetworks overlap pathways known to be associated to survival, including focal adhesion and cell adhesion pathways. In GBM and lung Dendrix finds significant sets of genes that are mutated in large subsets of patients and whose mutations are approximately exclusive, including genes in well known cancer pathways.