Are you asking for examples of specific identifiable patterns of behaviour that are common to cancer growth or apoptosis? Or are you asking about how pattern matching process can be used, in general, to identify signals of either abnormality/pathology or its inhibition?
In the past, many medical (and chemical, physical, astronomical etc.) discoveries have been made by serendipity.
Now, by collecting and algorithmically processing an immense amount of data which isn't entirely random, it's possible to look for either patterns or abnormalities in the stream of data. This tremendously speeds up the process of either confirming or discarding preliminary theory or postulate. Obviously, if false postulate is not discarded initially, it may take a lot of time to study it, before rejecting.
It's the same or similar process that is used by NSA, FBI, IRS (e.g., phone call outside or regular "range" or "zone"; history/pattern of anti-social behaviour; standard of living outpaces reported income etc.), Facebook/Google/Amazon/eBay/Netflix (e.g., "personalized" advertising from social media based on your behavioural buying/searching/interest pattern) etc. etc.
Occasionally, patterns that initially seem infallible turn out to be false when the series (number of elements or processes) is extended - just ask the researchers of prime numbers series :~)
For pure fun can check this out : Patterns in Prime Number Series
My question was indeed ambiguous and didn’t make much sense in this forum. I am somewhat relieved seeing that your tagline was there long before the question was asked.
Somehow I was stuck thinking in terms of pictorial patterns; but the first sentence of your reply got me unstuck immediately. Of course, the data in question are large collections of measurements on cell chemistry, on different types of cells, etc, from which patterns and trends can be identified and compared.
I really appreciate your trying to cover all the bases with a super-condensed “The History of Scientific Discoveries”, or, better, “A Primer on Pattern Matching”, even in the face of a very poor question. Someone who is both knowledgeable and patient is a rarity these days.
The Prime Number Series Patterns appear to be something interesting and I have saved the link for later. Thank you again for your thoughtful reply.