Generation and application of a colorectal cancer microarray library to identify a novel prognostic biomarker, adipose differentiation related protein (adipophilin).

508 Background: Substantial volumes of genetic expression data are archived within public gene expression repositories (PGER). Although the data contained is reported according to particular standards, it is not feasible to search the data using clinically relevant search terms (i.e., oncologic outcome). This study aimed to generate an archive of microarray expression data that could be searched using oncologically-relevant terminology, and then to test this facility. Methods: A UL Colorectal Cancer Archive was established based on data derived from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). A software (Rover) was developed to permit clinically relevant searches using terminology such as stage and disease-free survival. As a first test, experiments were identified that compared early and late stage colorectal cancer. From these, consensus profiles were developed and adipocyte differentiation related protein identified as the top-most frequently dysregulated gene. As a second test, the cancer archive was again cha...