Identification of genes with high heterogeneity of expression as a predictor of different prognosis and therapeutic responses in colorectal cancer: a challenge and a strategy.

Background: Molecular heterogeneity is one of the most important concerns in colorectal cancer (CRC), which results in a wide range of therapy responses and patient prognosis. We aimed to identify the genes with high heterogeneity of expression (HHE) and their relation with prognosis and drug resistance.

Methods: Two cohort studies, the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and the GSE39582, were used to discover oncogenes genes with HHE.