Computational prioritization of candidate TCDD-associated targets in retinoblastoma using network toxicology and transcriptomic analysis.
- Open access
Eighteen candidate TCDD-associated targets, including five hub genes, were identified in retinoblastoma, with CDK1 showing the strongest link to cell-cycle dysregulation.
- Why it matters: Understanding how environmental pollutants like TCDD influence molecular changes in retinoblastoma is crucial for uncovering potential risk factors and therapeutic targets, yet this connection remains poorly defined.
- What they did: The study used network toxicology, transcriptomic analysis, machine learning, and molecular docking to identify and validate key TCDD-related genes in RB, focusing on five hub genes including CDK1.
- The result: Findings suggest CDK1 may drive cell-cycle abnormalities in RB, while other genes relate to cellular homeostasis and immune regulation, providing a foundation for future functional studies and risk assessment.