Browsing by Subject "Colorectal cancer"

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Open Access
15-Lipoxygenase-1 re-expression in colorectal cancer alters endothelial cell features through enhanced expression of TSP-1 and ICAM-1
(Elsevier, 2017-11) Tunçer, S.; Keşküş, A. G.; Çolakoğlu, M.; Çimen, I.; Yener, C.; Konu, Ö.; Banerjee, S.
15-lipoxygenase-1 (15-LOX-1) oxygenates linoleic acid to 13(S)-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (HODE). The enzyme is widely suppressed in different cancers and its re-expression has tumor suppressive effects. 15-LOX-1 has been shown to inhibit neoangiogenesis in colorectal cancer (CRC); in the present study we confirm this phenomenon and describe the mechanistic basis. We show that re-expression of 15-LOX-1 in CRC cell lines resulted in decreased transcriptional activity of HIF1α and reduced the expression and secretion of VEGF in both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Conditioned medium (CM) was obtained from CRC or prostate cancer cell lines re-expressing 15-LOX-1 (15-LOX-1CM). 15-LOX-1CM treated aortic rings from 6-week old C57BL/6 mice showed significantly less vessel sprouting and more organized structure of vascular network. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) incubated with 15-LOX-1CM showed reduced motility, enhanced expression of intercellular cell adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) and reduced tube formation but no change in proliferation or cell-cycle distribution. HUVECs incubated with 13(S)-HODE partially phenocopied the effects of 15-LOX-1CM, i.e., showed reduced motility and enhanced expression of ICAM-1, but did not reduce tube formation, implying the importance of additional factors. Therefore, a Proteome Profiler Angiogenesis Array was carried out, which showed that Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a matrix glycoprotein known to strongly inhibit neovascularization, was expressed significantly more in HUVECs incubated with 15-LOX-1CM. TSP-1 blockage in HUVECs reduced the expression of ICAM-1 and enhanced cell motility, thereby providing a mechanism for reduced angiogenesis. The anti-angiogenic effects of 15-LOX-1 through enhanced expressions of ICAM-1 and TSP-1 are novel findings and should be explored further to develop therapeutic options.
Open Access
Characterization of extracellular purinergic signaling components in colorectal carcinoma
(2021-01) Uygur, Beste
Colorectal carcinoma is a heterogeneous disease which is the third leading cause of cancer-associated mortalities in the world. It is also reported to be the third most diagnosed cancer among other cancer types. The intracellular functions of purines and pyrimidines in energy transaction and nucleic acid synthesis reactions have been well-known and clarified. Notwithstanding, the extracellular roles played by purinergic signaling components in cancer initiation and progression was not disclosed thoroughly as yet and become more prominent day by day. The extracellular purinergic system may have growth-inhibiting or growth-promoting effects in tumors in a tissue and context-dependent manner. Indeed, the knowledge regarding the impact of these elements in colorectal cancer is immensely limited. Therefore, in this study, we focused on deciphering the involvement of several extracellular purinergic signaling components in colorectal cancer, which are mainly one of the enzymes involved in degradation process of ATP, PSE002, and one of the adenosine receptors, PSC003. To assess their roles in colorectal cancer, we generated stable knockout cell lines targeting these two genes separately by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing as well as transiently depleted cell lines by RNA interference (RNAi). The depletion of PSE002 and also PSC003 promoted cell proliferation and their anchorage-independent growth in vitro. In addition to this, their loss resulted in enhanced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by upregulating the expression of mesenchymal markers. Moreover, cell line-derived xenograft models (CDX) of PSE002 could corroborate in vitro findings and strikingly augmented tumor growth in vivo. Interestingly, the effects observed in colorectal cancer cell lines upon PSE002 silencing could not be seen upon pharmacological inhibition by PSE002-selective antagonist. Contrary to this, PSC003-selective antagonist led to increased proliferative capacity in colorectal cancer cell lines under normal or hypoxic conditions. Ultimately, our findings provide a different perspective to extracellular adenosine signaling and claim that these targets act as tumor suppressor genes in colorectal carcinoma which should be taken into consideration for selecting therapeutic strategies against colorectal cancer.
Open Access
Detection of a long non-coding RNA (CCAT1) in living cells and human adenocarcinoma of colon tissues using FIT–PNA molecular beacons
(Elsevier Ireland Ltd., 2014-09-28) Kam, Y.; Rubinstein, A.; Naik, S.; Djavsarov, I.; Halle, D.; Ariel, I.; Gure, A. O.; Stojadinovic, A.; Pan, H. G.; Tsivin, V.; Nissan, A.; Yavin, E.
Although the function and mechanism of action of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) is still not completely known, studies have shown their potential role in the control of gene expression and regulation, in cellular proliferation and invasiveness at the transcriptional level via multiple mechanisms. Recently, colon cancer associated transcript 1 (CCAT1) lncRNA was found to be expressed in colorectal cancer (CRC) tumors but not in normal tissue. This study aimed to study the ability of a CCAT1-specific peptide nucleic acid (PNA) based molecular beacons (TO-PNA-MB) to serve as a diagnostic probe for in vitro, ex vivo, and in situ (human colon biopsies) detection of CRC. The data showed enhanced fluorescence upon in vitro hybridization to RNA extracted from CCAT1 expressing cells (HT-29, SW-480) compared to control cells (SK-Mel-2). Uptake of TO-PNA-MBs into cells was achieved by covalently attaching cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) to the TO-PNA-MB probes. In situ hybridization of selected TO-PNA-MB in human CRC specimens was shown to detect CCAT1 expression in all (4/4) subjects with pre-cancerous adenomas, and in all (8/8) patients with invasive adenocarcinoma (penetrating the bowel wall) tumors. The results showed that CCAT1 TO-PNA-MB is a powerful diagnostic tool for the specific identification of CRC, suggesting that with the aid of an appropriate pharmaceutical vehicle, real time in vivo imaging is feasible. TO-PNA-MB may enable identifying occult metastatic disease during surgery, or differentiating in real time in vivo imaging, between benign and malignant lesions.
Open Access
Early detection and staging of colorectal cancer using a panel of micro RNAs
(OMICS, 2018) Shapira, R.; Ilyayev, N.; Attali, R.; Westrich, G.; Halle, D.; Speter, C.; Stavropoulos, A. V.; Roistacher, M.; Pavlov, V.; Grinbaum, R.; Protic, P.; Güre, Ali O.; Bilchik, A. J.; Stojadinovic, A.; Mitrani-Rosenbaum, S.; Nissan, A.
Purpose: To improve lymph node (LN) staging in patients with colon cancer (CC). The present study describes the selection of CC-specific miRNAs and assesses their utility as a micro metastases detection assay. Methods: 30 miRNAs have been selected from a microarray assay and 16 miRNAs from database mining for their specific upregulation in colon cancer tissues as compared to normal adjacent tissues. Differential expression was validated by RT-qPCR in a larger cohort of samples (n=20) and compared to normal lymphatic tissues (n=6) and normal peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs, n=14). The selected miRNA panel was then used for the screening of 84 lymph nodes (LN) obtained from colon cancer patients (n=20) Results: After validation, a panel of 8 miRNAs was found to be significantly upregulated in CC compared to normal adjacent tissues and to normal lymphatic tissues: miR-96, miR-183, miR-194, miR-200a, miR-200b, miR200c, miR-203 and miR-429. A total of 84 LNs were analysed: 12 LN metastases were detected by H&E, 18 by CK staining whereas 32 were detected by the CC-specific miRNA analysis. This represents an increase of 40% in the detection rate. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the ability of a CC-specific 8 miRNA panel in detecting micro metastases in CC patients.
Open Access
Evaluation of an aldo-keto reductase gene signature with prognostic significance in colon cancer via activation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition and the p70S6K pathway
(Oxford University Press, 2020-07) Demirkol Canlı, S.; Seza, E. G.; Sheraj, I.; Gömçeli, İ.; Turhan, N.; Carberry, S.; Prehn, J. H. M.; Güre, Ali Osmay; Banerjee, S.
AKR1B1 and AKR1B10, members of the aldo-keto reductase family of enzymes that participate in the polyol pathway of aldehyde metabolism, are aberrantly expressed in colon cancer. We previously showed that high expression of AKR1B1 (AKR1B1HIGH) was associated with enhanced motility, inflammation and poor clinical outcome in colon cancer patients. Using publicly available datasets and ex vivo gene expression analysis (n = 51, Ankara cohort), we have validated our previous in silico finding that AKR1B1HIGH was associated with worse overall survival (OS) compared with patients with low expression of AKR1B1 (AKR1B1LOW) samples. A combined signature of AKR1B1HIGH and AKR1B10LOW was significantly associated with worse recurrence-free survival (RFS) in microsatellite stable (MSS) patients and in patients with distal colon tumors as well as a higher mesenchymal signature when compared with AKR1B1LOW/AKR1B10HIGH tumors. When the patients were stratified according to consensus molecular subtypes (CMS), AKR1B1HIGH/AKR1B10LOW samples were primarily classified as CMS4 with predominantly mesenchymal characteristics while AKR1B1LOW/AKR1B10HIGH samples were primarily classified as CMS3 which is associated with metabolic deregulation. Reverse Phase Protein Array carried out using protein samples from the Ankara cohort indicated that AKR1B1HIGH/AKR1B10LOW tumors showed aberrant activation of metabolic pathways. Western blot analysis of AKR1B1HIGH/AKR1B10LOW colon cancer cell lines also suggested aberrant activation of nutrient-sensing pathways. Collectively, our data suggest that the AKR1B1HIGH/AKR1B10LOW signature may be predictive of poor prognosis, aberrant activation of metabolic pathways, and can be considered as a novel biomarker for colon cancer prognostication.
Open Access
Identifying TBK1-specific roles in colorectal cancer
(2022-06) Bagheralmoosavi, Servin
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most lethal cancer type, with a high incidence rate among adults. The CRC is a highly heterogenic disease with a high rate of mutations in different molecular pathways. Moreover, resistance to standard treatment options is seen frequently among CRC patients. Therefore, a better understanding of the mechanisms behind the initiation, progression, and drug resistance allows us to increase the life quality of CRC patients. TBK1 is a kinase protein with central roles in most cellular signaling pathways. This protein has been reported to be an oncogene in some cancer types. However, the role of TBK1 in colorectal cancer is not yet established. In this study, we generated stable TBK1 knockdown CRC cell lines and mainly focused on the role of TBK1 in colorectal cancer pathogenesis. Upon TBK1 depletion in CRC, we observed increased cell proliferation and migration in vitro. The role of TBK1 in cell proliferation is further confirmed in xenograft models in vivo. Moreover, a shift in EMT and resistance to Gefitinib, an EGFR inhibitor, is indicated in TBK1 knockdown cells. TBK1 is also diminished in our Gefitinib-resistant CRC cell lines, suggesting a role for this protein in drug resistance. The findings of this study suggest a tumor-suppressive role for TBK1 in CRC. Hence, further investigations on the mechanisms behind this tumor-suppressive role of TBK1 in CRC will pave the way for developing novel therapeutic options for CRC treatment.
Open Access
Integrative analysis of complex cancer genomics and clinical profiles using the cBioPortal
(American Association for the Advancement of Science (A A A S), 2013) Gao J.; Aksoy, B. A.; Dogrusoz, U.; Dresdner, G.; Gross, B.; Sumer, S. O.; Sun, Y.; Jacobsen, A.; Sinha, R.; Larsson, E.; Cerami, E.; Sander, C.; Schultz, N.
The cBioPortal for Cancer Genomics (http://cbioportal.org) provides a Web resource for exploring, visualizing, and analyzing multidimensional cancer genomics data. The portal reduces molecular profiling data from cancer tissues and cell lines into readily understandable genetic, epigenetic, gene expression, and proteomic events. The query interface combined with customized data storage enables researchers to interactively explore genetic alterations across samples, genes, and pathways and, when available in the underlying data, to link these to clinical outcomes. The portal provides graphical summaries of gene-level data from multiple platforms, network visualization and analysis, survival analysis, patient-centric queries, and software programmatic access. The intuitive Web interface of the portal makes complex cancer genomics profiles accessible to researchers and clinicians without requiring bioinformatics expertise, thus facilitating biological discoveries. Here, we provide a practical guide to the analysis and visualization features of the cBioPortal for Cancer Genomics. © 2013 American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Open Access
Interplay between 15-lipoxygenase-1 and metastasisassociated antigen 1 in the metastatic potential of colorectal cancer
(Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd., 2016) Tunçer, S.; Çağatay, T. S.; Keşküş, A. G.; Çolakoğlu, M.; Konu, Ö.; Banerjee S.
Objectives: Metastasis-associated antigen 1 (MTA1) is implicated in metastasis while 15-lipoxygenase-1 (15-LOX-1) reduces cell motility, when re-expressed in colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to understand any potential interplay between MTA1 and 15-LOX-1 in CRC metastasis. Materials and methods: ALOX15 and MTA1 expression in tumour and normal samples were analysed from TCGA RNA-seq data, microarray data sets and a human CRC cDNA array. Western blots, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), luciferase assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) were carried out in HT-29 and LoVo cells re-expressing 15-LOX-1 to determine NF- κB activity at the MTA1 promoter. Functional assays in cells ectopically expressing either 15-LOX-1, MTA-1 or both, were carried out to determine adhesion and cell motility. Results: Significantly higher expression of MTA1 was observed in tumours compared to normal tissues; MTA1 overexpression resulted in reduced adhesion in CRC cell lines. Re-expression of 15-LOX-1 in the CRC cell lines reduced expression of endogenous MTA1, corroborated by negative correlation between the two genes in two independent human CRC microarray data sets, with greater significance in specific subsets of patients. DNA binding and transcriptional activity of NF-κB at the MTA1 promoter was significantly lower in cells re-expressing 15-LOX-1. Functionally, the same cells had reduced motility, which was rescued when they overexpressed MTA1, and further corroborated by expressions of E-cadherin and vimentin. Conclusions: Expression of MTA1 and 15-LOX-1 negatively correlated in specific subsets of CRC. Mechanistically, this is at least in part through reduced recruitment of NF-κB to the MTA1 promoter.
Open Access
Lower connectivity of tumor coexpression networks is not specific to cancer
(IOP, 2019-05) Dalgıç, E.; Konu, Özlen; Safi Öz, Z.; Chan, C.
Global level network analysis of molecular links is necessary for systems level view of complex diseases like cancer. Using genome-wide expression datasets, we constructed and compared gene co-expression based specific networks of pre-cancerous tumors (adenoma) and cancerous tumors (carcinoma) with paired normal networks to assess for any possible changes in network connectivity. Previously, loss of connectivity was reported as a characteristic of cancer samples. Here, we observed that pre-cancerous conditions also had significantly less connections than paired normal samples. We observed a loss of connectivity trend for colorectal adenoma, aldosterone producing adenoma and uterine leiomyoma. We also showed that the loss of connectivity trend is not specific to positive or negative correlation based networks. Differential hub genes, which were the most highly differentially less connected genes in tumor, were mostly different between different datasets. No common gene list could be defined which underlies the lower connectivity of tumor specific networks. Connectivity of colorectal cancer methylation targets was different from other genes. Extracellular space related terms were enriched in negative correlation based differential hubs and common methylation targets of colorectal carcinoma. Our results indicate a systems level change of lower connectivity as cells transform to not only cancer but also pre-cancerous conditions. This systems level behavior could not be attributed to a group of genes.
Open Access
Opposing roles of the aldo-keto reductases AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 in colorectal cancer
(Springer Netherlands, 2017-09) Taskoparan, B.; Seza, E. G.; Demirkol, S.; Tuncer, S.; Stefek, M.; Gure, A. O.; Banerjee, S.
Purpose: Aldo-keto reductases (including AKR1B1 and AKR1B10) constitute a family of oxidoreductases that have been implicated in the pathophysiology of diabetes and cancer, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Available data indicate that, despite their similarities in structure and enzymatic functions, their roles in CRC may be divergent. Here, we aimed to determine the expression and functional implications of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 in CRC. Methods: AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 gene expression levels were analyzed using publicly available microarray data and ex vivo CRC-derived cDNA samples. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) RNA-seq data and The Cancer Proteome Atlas (TCPA) proteome data were analyzed to determine the effect of high and low AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 expression levels in CRC patients. Proliferation, cell cycle progression, cellular motility, adhesion and inflammation were determined in CRC-derived cell lines in which these genes were either exogenously overexpressed or silenced. Results: We found that the expression of AKR1B1 was unaltered, whereas that of AKR1B10 was decreased in primary CRCs. GSEA revealed that, while high AKR1B1 expression was associated with increased cell cycle progression, cellular motility and inflammation, high AKR1B10 expression was associated with a weak inflammatory phenotype. Functional studies carried out in CRC-derived cell lines confirmed these data. Microarray data analysis indicated that high expression levels of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 were significantly associated with shorter and longer disease-free survival rates, respectively. A combined gene expression signature of AKR1B10 (low) and AKR1B1 (high) showed a better prognostic stratification of CRC patients independent of confounding factors. Conclusions: Despite their similarities, the expression levels and functions of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 are highly divergent in CRC, and they may have prognostic implications.
Open Access
p53 mutations as fingerprints of environmental carcinogens
(2000) Cetin-Atalay, R.; Ozturk, M.
Mutations of the p53 tumor suppressor gene occur in a great majority of human cancers. The protein product of p53 gene is involved in DNA damage response. Consequently, p53 gene may be a preferred target for environmental carcinogens, which also act as DNA-damaging agents. This is probably why p53 mutations are frequent in cancers linked to environmental carcinogens. Moreover, these carcinogens leave molecular fingerprints on the p53 gene. Thus, the study of p53 mutation spectra has been a useful approach to implicate suspected carcinogens to different human cancers. This review provides further insight into the significance of p53 mutation spectra in ten common human malignancies (skin, liver, lung, bladder, breast, head and neck, esophagus, stomach and colorectal cancers, and hematological malignancies), in relation with environmental carcinogens.
Open Access
Prognostic biomarker identification and classification of colorectal cancer patients: a dual gene-based and sample-based approach
(2023-08) Naeemaee, Ronak
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most heterogeneous cancer types, with high mortality rates making it the one of the deadliest cancer among men and women. The heterogeneity of CRC comes from the numerous clinicopathological characteristics of these tumors, including; KRAS/BRAF mutation, Microsatellite Instability (MSI), and stage. Another essential factor recently emphasized is the tumor location (proximal or distal). Consequently, many studies have focused on finding prognostic biomarkers for CRC patients to increase the efficiency of their treatment plans. However, despite the attempts, these biomarkers fail in clinical transition as they lack robustness and consistent results in their validation studies. Moreover, understanding the mechanism behind CRC progression can significantly help the personalization of treatments. Recently, the cancer neuroscience field has been focusing on elucidating neuropeptides' role in cancer and CRC as they have been proven to be involved in cancer progression. Accordingly, the thesis was divided into two approaches. The first approach was to further examine the role of neuropeptides by finding a subset of neuropeptides for the classification of the CRC samples and following functional analysis to understand the mechanism of their involvement. Moreover, the second approach attempted the determination of robust prognostic biomarkers in a specific sample group (Proximal, Stages 2 and 3) while controlling for the inconsistencies. In the first approach, a subset of 9 neuropeptide genes was found through Principle Component Analysis (PCA) with the ability to stratify the CRC samples into high and low expression groups. Functional analyses of these groups identified an association between the up-regulation of these neuropeptides and Hedgehog's (HHG) signaling pathway, and these activities are hypothesized to be primarily specific to the stroma of the tumor. Up-regulation of these neuropeptides was also linked with other pathways involved in cancer progression, such as; EMT, angiogenesis, and TGFβ activities. The second approach utilized a new methodology pipeline that aimed to ensure the selection of genes with no discrepancies among their probesets and across different technologies. Following the pipeline, 3 genes were identified, associated with favorable and non-favorable prognoses for Proximal, Stage 2, and 3 samples. However, although a very stringent methodology was used and various clinicopathological parameters such as the stage and location were considered, the prognostic associations observed were not as consistent, indicating the importance of the sample's molecular characteristics. This study also pointed out potential implications of neuropeptides in CRC progression and development. More elaborative studies are required for the clarification of the interactions of neuropeptides with the HHG signaling pathway. Furthermore, the identified prognostic biomarkers need to be validated through comprehensive validation studies in their associating subgroups of samples, as they are robust biomarkers with the potential to be used in clinics.
Open Access
Receptor for advanced glycation end products acts as a fuel to colorectal cancer development
(Frontiers Media S.A., 2020-09-29) Azizian-Farsani, F.; Abedpoor, N.; Sheikhha, M. H.; Güre, Ali Osmay; Nasr-Esfahani, M. H.; Ghaedi, K.
Receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) is a multiligand binding and single-pass transmembrane protein taken in diverse chronic inflammatory conditions. RAGE behaves as a pattern recognition receptor, which binds and is engaged in the cellular response to a variety of damage-associated molecular pattern molecules, as well as HMGB1, S100 proteins, and AGEs (advanced glycation end-products). The RAGE activation turns out to a formation of numerous intracellular signaling mechanisms, resulting in the progression and prolongation of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). The RAGE expression correlates well with the survival of colon cancer cells. RAGE is involved in the tumorigenesis, which increases and develops well in the stressed tumor microenvironment. In this review, we summarized downstream signaling cascade activated by the multiligand activation of RAGE, as well as RAGE ligands and their sources, clinical studies, and tumor markers related to RAGE particularly in the inflammatory tumor microenvironment in CRC. Furthermore, the role of RAGE signaling pathway in CRC patients with diabetic mellitus is investigated. RAGE has been reported to drive assorted signaling pathways, including activator protein 1, nuclear factor-κB, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, SMAD family member 4 (Smad4), mitogen-activated protein kinases, mammalian target of rapamycin, phosphoinositide 3-kinases, reticular activating system, Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and Glycogen synthase kinase 3β, and even microRNAs.
Open Access
Role of non-coding RNAs as novel biomarkers for detection of colorectal cancer progression through interaction with the cell signaling pathways
(Elsevier, 2020) Esmaeili, M.; Keshani, M.; Vakilian, M.; Esmaeili, M.; Peymani, M.; Forootan, F. S.; Chau, Tieu Lan; Göktuna, Serkan İsmail; Zaker, S. R.; Esfahani, M. H. N.; Ghaedi, K.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common types of cancer which affects the colon and the rectum. Approximately one third of annual CRC mortality occurs due to the late detection of this type of cancer. Therefore, there is an urgent need for more powerful diagnostic and prognostic tools for identification and treatment of colorectal tumorigenesis. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been implicated in the pathology of CRC and also linked to metastasis, proliferation, differentiation, migration, angiogenesis and apoptosis in numerous cancers. Recently, attention has turned towards ncRNAs as specific targets for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of various types of cancers, including CRC. In this review, we have tried to outline the roles of ncRNAs, and their involvement in signaling pathways responsible for the progression of CRC.
Open Access
Vapor sensing of colorectal cancer biomarkers in isolation by bare and functionalized nanoelectromechanical sensors
(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2023-08-04) Karakan, M. C.; Ari, Atakan B.; Kelleci, M.; Yanik, C.; Kaya, I. I.; Tastan, O.; Hanay, M. Selim
Small dimensions and high resonance frequencies render nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) sensitive mass detectors. Mass detection capability can be used to sense chemicals in the gas phase by functionalizing the device, usually with a polymeric film. The performance of NEMS-based gas detectors in breath analysis applications depends crucially on the selectivity between selected functionalization layers and targeted biomarkers. Here, we report the detection of four colorectal cancer biomarkers at parts-per-million concentration levels, when introduced in isolation to the sensor system within a dry nitrogen stream. The biomarkers, 3-methylpentane, cyclohexane, nonanal, and decanal, were then discriminated from each other by using the combined response of three NEMS devices: one bare device, and two devices coated with either poly(ethyleneoxide) or poly(caprolactone). Our results indicate that bare NEMS are more responsive to high molar mass biomarkers, whereas functionalized sensors are more responsive toward more volatile biomarkers. Considering the inherently fast response times and minuscule limits of detection of NEMS devices, the combined response of differentially coated sensors can be used as the main sensing element to identify and distinguish cancer biomarkers in human breath.