Fig. 3. Network and upstream regulator analysis of IL-6.
a Network interaction of the significant genes (FC > ±2.0 and p < 0.05) in cSI and cSII/III patients irrespective of localisation (TF and TC). Two distinct gene clusters were observed (red circle—interleukin cluster and green circle—integrin cluster). The network nodes represent proteins (encoded by the corresponding genes). b Ingenuity upstream regulator analysis predicted IL-6 as one of the top upstream regulators of gene expression in TF. The target genes of IL-6 identified in the dataset analysis are displayed in the figure. c Regulator effect network analysis by IPA identified IL-6 as an upstream regulator altering the expression of genes in the dataset that drive the invasion of tumour cells.