The leader gene approach is a data mining method based on the systematic search for genes involved in a specific process and their ranking
according to the number of interconnections with the other genes identified. The genes with the strongest interconnections are termed leader
genes, since they may be supposed to play an important role in the process. The potential of malignant progression of OLP to oral squamous
cell carcinoma (OSCC) is still not completely clear. In this study, the leader gene approach is applied to investigate the association between
OLP and OSCC at a molecular level. Results were integrated with those obtained in an experimental analysis (see paper 1 of this series).
Genes involved in OLP and OSCC were identified by systematic queries to dedicated databases. Interconnections among identified genes
were calculated and given a confidence value using STRING database. Leader genes were identified by clustering genes according to their
interconnections. This theoretical analysis shows that OLP and OSCC share two leader genes: TP53 and CDKN1A, involved in the PI3K
signalling events mediated by AKT pathway. This finding and those obtained in the experimental analysis suggest the possible involvement
of some key genes/proteins LCK, PIK3CA, BIRC5, TP53 and CDKN1A in the malignant progression from OLP to OSCC. Moreover, these
findings support the role of some molecular pathways, namely IL2 signalling events mediated by PI3K, PI3K signalling events mediated by
AKT, and, possibly, Aurora A signalling in the association between OLP and OSCC