Clinical and Translational Research
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastrointest Oncol. May 15, 2024; 16(5): 1908-1924
Published online May 15, 2024. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i5.1908
Four centrosome-related genes to predict the prognosis and drug sensitivity of patients with colon cancer
Hui-Yan Wang, Yan Diao, Pei-Zhu Tan, Huan Liang
Hui-Yan Wang, Huan Liang, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin 150086, Heilongjiang Province, China
Yan Diao, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Heilongjiang Province Hospital, Harbin 150000, Heilongjiang Province, China
Pei-Zhu Tan, Translational Medicine Center of Northern China, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, Heilongjiang Province, China
Author contributions: Wang HY and Liang H conceived the research; Wang HY, Diao Y, and Tan PZ analyzed the data and prepared the figures; all authors drafted the work or revised it critically for important content.
Supported by Heilongjiang Postdoctoral Fund, No. LBH-Z18214; Haiyan Foundation of Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. JJQN2014-06; and Foundation of Health Commission of Heilongjiang Province, No. 2016-096.
Institutional review board statement: The current study did not require approval from an ethics committee.
Informed consent statement: The data that support the findings of this study are publicly available. The current study did not require signed informed consent documents.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Data sharing statement: All data and material are public.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Huan Liang, MD, Associate Chief Physician, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin 150086, Heilongjiang Province, China. 601774@hrbmu.edu.cn
Received: November 7, 2023
Peer-review started: November 7, 2023
First decision: December 28, 2023
Revised: January 8, 2024
Accepted: February 22, 2024
Article in press: February 22, 2024
Published online: May 15, 2024
Processing time: 184 Days and 11.3 Hours
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
Research background

Centrosome abnormalities play a significant role in the development of human colon cancer, as they serve as the primary microtubule organizing center in animal cells.

Research motivation

The primary aim of this investigation was to explore the role of centrosome-related genes (CRGs) in the pathogenesis of colon cancer.

Research objectives

To examine the role of CRGs in the pathogenesis of colon cancer.

Research methods

CRGs were obtained from publicly available databases. Subsequently, consensus clustering analysis was conducted to partition the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-Colon adenocarcinoma cohort. Univariate Cox and least absolute shrinkage selection operator regression analyses were employed to identify potential prognostic CRGs and establish a centrosome-related signature (CRS) for scoring patients with colon cancer. Furthermore, a nomogram was devised to assess the risk associated with the CRS in individuals diagnosed with colon cancer. A bioinformatics analysis was integrated to investigate the association between the CRS and tumor immune microenvironment, as well as the response to immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Furthermore, a single-cell transcriptome analysis was performed to examine the immune cell composition of key prognostic genes.

Research results

A cumulative count of 726 colorectal CRGs was obtained from publicly available databases. Subsequently, a colorectal cancer risk signature was developed, comprising four specific genes, namely TSC1, AXIN2, COPS7A, and MTUS1. Notably, patients with a high-risk signature exhibited unfavorable survival outcomes. Furthermore, these patients demonstrated reduced levels of plasma cells and activated memory CD4+ T cells. In terms of therapeutic response, individuals with a high-risk signature displayed resistance to immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Additionally, COPS7A expression was found to be relatively elevated in endothelial cells and fibroblasts. The expression of MTUS1 was observed to be significantly elevated in endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and malignant cells.

Research conclusions

In light of these findings, we endeavored to develop a prognostic signature associated with CRGs that could effectively forecast the prognosis of patients with colon cancer. By doing so, we aimed to contribute to the advancement of personalized treatment strategies for individuals diagnosed with colon cancer.

Research perspectives

This model has the potential to enhance the individualized approach to colon cancer management.