Uncover Cancer Genomics by Jointly Analysing Aneuploidy and Gene Expression

Human cancers are heterogeneous due to combined effects of genetic instability and selection, where the accumulation of the most advantageous set of genetic aberrations results in the expansion of cancer cells (Pinkel & Albertson, 2005). There are many different types of instability that occurs during tumor development, such as point mutation, alteration of microsatellite sequences, chromosome rearrangements, DNA dosage aberrations and epigenetic changes such as methylation. These abnormalities acting alone or in combination alter the expression levels of mRNA molecules. However, the genetic history of tumor progression is difficult to decipher. Because it is only a sufficiently protumorigenic aberration or obligate products of a crucial alteration that results in tumor development (Pinkel & Albertson, 2005).