Determination of MAPK-AP-1 pathway activity using unique combination of target genes

A method for correcting a calculated activity level of a MAPK-AP-1 cellular signaling pathway in a subject diagnosed with cancer, comprising:

• a) calculating an activity level of an AP-1 transcription factor element in a sample isolated from the subject, wherein the activity level of the AP-1 transcription factor element in the sample is associated with MAPK-AP-1 cellular signaling, wherein the activity level of the MAPK-AP-1 cellular signaling pathway is active, and wherein the activity level of the AP-1 transcription factor element in the sample is calculated by:
• i) receiving data on expression levels of at least three target genes derived from the sample, wherein the AP-1 transcription factor element controls transcription of the at least three target genes, and wherein the at least three target genes are selected from BCL2L11, CCND1, DDIT3, DNMT1, EGFR, ENPP2, EZR, FASLG, FIGF, GLRX, IL2, IVL, LOR, MMP1, MMP3, MMP9, SERPINE1, PLAU, PLAUR, PTGS2, SNCG, TIMP1, TP53, and VIM;
• ii) calculating the activity level of the AP-1 transcription factor element in the sample using a calibrated pathway model, wherein the calibrated pathway model compares the expression levels of the at least three target genes in the sample with expression levels of the at least three target genes in the calibrated pathway model which define an activity level of the AP-1 transcription factor element;
• and,
• b) calculating the activity level of the MAPK-AP-1 cellular signaling pathway in the sample based on the calculated activity level of the AP-1 transcription factor element in the sample, wherein the calculated activity level of the MAPK-AP-1 cellular signaling pathway in the sample is active;
• c) selecting, based on the calculated activity level of the MAPK-AP-1 cellular signaling pathway in the sample, a specific treatment configured to correct the calculated activity level, wherein the specific treatment is a MAPK-AP-1 cellular signaling pathway inhibitor;
• and
• d) administering, in response to the calculated activity level of the MAPK-AP-1 cellular signaling pathway in the sample and the selection of the specific treatment configured to correct the calculated activity level, the MAPK-AP-1 cellular signaling pathway inhibitor.