Novel Diagnostic Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer

Prognostic gene expression profile of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is a major global health burden, with significant heterogeneity in clinical outcomes among patients. Identifying robust prognostic gene expression signatures can help stratify patients, guide treatment decisions, and improve clinical management. This review provides an overview of current prognostic gene expression profiles in colorectal cancer research. We have synthesized evidence from numerous published studies investigating the association between tumor gene expression patterns and patient survival outcomes. The reviewed literature reveals several promising gene signatures that have demonstrated the ability to predict disease-free survival and overall survival in CRC patients, independent of standard clinicopathological risk factors. These genes are crucial in fundamental biological processes, including cell cycle control, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and immune regulation. The implementation of prognostic gene expression tests in clinical practice holds great potential for enabling more personalized management strategies for colorectal cancer.

Logistic regression analysis of pathological features of bone metastasis in colorectal cancer and related influencing factors after surgery

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor in the digestive system, whose main treatment comprises surgical resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and targeted drug therapy. At present, the radical resection of CRC is the main way of achieving an early cure.

AIM

To investigate the logistic regression analysis of bone metastasis after CRC surgery and related influencing factors.

METHODS

We selected 100 patients who underwent surgery for CRC and were admitted from February 2018 to February 2024, collected the general data of bone metastasis, and collected the pathological characteristics of patients with bone metastasis. Next, we divided them into groups with and without bone metastasis (Bone metastases group, n = 44; no bone metastases group, n = 56), compared the clinical data of the two groups, and analyzed the risk factors of bone metastasis using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Among the 100 patients, the mean age was 54.33 ± 8.45 years, and most were male (54.55%). The proportion of patients with lytic bone changes was 43.18%. The most common location of combined bone metastasis was the pelvis, whereas only 5 patients had limb transfer. There was a higher incidence of lung than of pancreatic or liver metastases. Regression analysis showed that the primary location of the cancer was rectal cancer. Lymph node involvement, lung metastasis, and no postoperative chemotherapy were the risk factors for postoperative bone metastasis in patients who underwent surgery for CRC (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Rectal cancer, lymph node involvement, complicated pulmonary metastasis, and no postoperative chemotherapy treatment can help predict high risk of bone metastasis in CRC.

Metabolomics- and Proteomics-Based Disease Diagnostic Classifier Model for the Prediction and Diagnosis of Colorectal Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Diagnostic biomarkers are essential for risk stratification and early detection, potentially enhancing patient survival. Our study aimed to explore the potential biomarkers of CRC at the protein and metabolic levels.

METHODS

Blood serum from CRC patients and healthy controls was analyzed using metabolomic and proteomic techniques. A conjoint analysis was conducted, and samples were split into training and validation sets (7:3 ratio) to develop and evaluate a disease diagnosis classifier model. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses were conducted to validate the results.

RESULTS

We identified 631 differential metabolites and 61 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in CRC, involved in pathways such as arginine and proline metabolism, central carbon metabolism in cancer, and signaling pathways including TGF-β, mTOR, PI3K-Akt, and others. Key proteins (CILP2, SLC3A2, EXTL2, hydroxypyruvate isomerase (HYI), ENPEP, LRG1, CTSS, thyrotropin-releasing hormone-degrading ectoenzyme (TRHDE), SELE, and HSPA1A) showed significant expression differences between CRC patients and controls. IHC results showed that compared with the paracancerous tissues, the expression of CILP2, EXTL2, and HYI was significantly downregulated in the CRC tissues (P < 0.05). The classifier model, comprising l-arginine, Harden-Young ester, l-aspartic acid, oxoglutaric acid, l-proline, octopine, l-valine, and progesterone, achieved AUC values of 0.998 and 0.914 in training and validation data sets, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The identified metabolites and DEPs are promising CRC biomarkers. The developed classifier model based on eight metabolites demonstrates high accuracy for CRC assessment and diagnosis.

Tetrahedral DNA nanostructures-assisted electrochemical assay for detecting circulating tumor DNA by combining a masking tactic with 3D-hybridization chain reactions

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a remarkable noninvasive tumor marker that plays a crucial role in tumor diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. However, detecting low-abundance ctDNA from a substantial amount of nucleic acids originating from healthy cells is challenging. Herein, we proposed a tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDNs)-assisted electrochemical biosensor for ctDNA detection. This biosensor combines a masking tactic with 3D-hybridization chain reactions. Masking hairpins (MHs) were initially introduced to prevent interference from wild-type (WT) DNA. Then, the initiator sequence was transferred to the electrode surface modified with TDNs by the target ctDNA. The initiator sequence triggers the 3D self-assembly of hairpin strands, leading to the formation of DNA networks or even DNA hydrogels (long reaction time). This process generates numerous evenly distributed biotin molecules that can bind to streptavidin peroxidase to considerably amplify the signal. This method exhibits high sensitivity (the minimum concentration for detecting ctDNA is 1 aM, which corresponds to 60 ctDNA molecules in 100 μl sample) and excellent specificity (single mismatch). More importantly, this high-performance sensor can detect ctDNA with other mutation sites and their mixtures by modifying the corresponding capture probes on the TDNs. Furthermore, this ultrasensitive sensor effectively detects target ctDNA (0.001 %) at high levels of WT DNA and in complex matrices such as serum. These findings suggest that the sensor has promising potential as a noninvasive tool for early tumor diagnosis.

CircRNAs in Colorectal Cancer: Unveiling Their Roles and Exploring Therapeutic Potential

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common malignancy of the digestive system. Although research into the causes of CRC's origin and progression has advanced over the past few decades, many details are still not fully understood. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), as a novel regulatory molecule, have been found to be closely involved in various key biological processes in CRC. CircRNAs also have been shown to encode proteins, which could offer new possibilities for therapeutic applications. This ability to produce tumor-specific proteins makes circRNA-based vaccines a potentially valuable approach for targeted cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the various roles of circRNAs in CRC and explore their potential in the development of protein-encoding circRNA vaccines for CRC therapy.

Prevalence of enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis in patients with colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

The gut microbiome, specifically enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF), has been reported to play a role in colorectal cancer development. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies to compare the prevalence of ETBF in patients with colorectal cancer and healthy controls as well as in various stages of colorectal cancer.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, and The Cochrane Library were systematically searched for studies published until May 2024. We utilized studies either comparing the prevalence of ETBF in patients with colorectal cancer and healthy control or examining its prevalence across different stages of colorectal cancer. The prevalence of ETBF colonization in biological samples from individuals with colorectal cancer compared to that in healthy controls or adjacent normal tissue as well as the association between the prevalence of ETBF and various stages of colorectal cancer were plotted using a random-effect or fixed-effect model.

Results

Fourteen relevant articles were identified. Meta-analyses revealed that patients with colorectal cancer had a higher likelihood of having ETBF than healthy controls (odds ratio [OR]: 2.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.63-3.98, I2 = 55%). Additionally, ETBF detection was lower in stage I/II than in stage III/IV colorectal cancer (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.41-0.91, I2 = 41%).

Discussion

The prevalence of ETBF was consistently higher in the tissue and fecal samples of patients with colorectal cancer than in those of controls. A difference in ETBF prevalence between stage I/II and stage III/IV colorectal cancer was noted, but further analysis revealed that the conclusion is unreliable.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD 42024548325.

HAS-CIRCpedia-5280 sponges miR-4712-5p inhibited colon cancer autophagyinduced by human beta-defensin-1

BACKGROUND

Among all malignancies, colorectal cancer ranks third in incidence rate and second in mortality rate. Human beta-defensin-1 (hBD-1) has broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, and it plays an important role in the tumor microenvironment. Circular ribonucleic acids (circRNAs) regulate the proliferation and progression of colorectal cancer cells via cancer-related signaling pathways.

METHODS

Cell proliferation was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay to determine the optimal hBD-1 concentration. Intracellular autophagic vesicles were visualized via monodansylcadaverine staining. In addition, the levels of AKT and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-associated signaling proteins were analyzed via Western blot analysis. CircRNA microarrays and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to identify differentially expressed circRNAs in colon cancer cell lines. The functional role of HAS-CIRCpedia-5280 in vitro was demonstrated by overexpressing HAS-CIRCpedia-5280 and inhibiting miR-4712-5p. HAS-CIRCpedia-5280 could be a sponge of miR-4712-5p, mimicking the effect induced by HAS-CIRCpedia-5280 overexpression in colon cancer cells.

RESULTS

hBD-1 inhibited the proliferation of colon cancer cells and increased the number of intracellular autophagic vesicles. In addition, hBD-1 inhibited the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, thereby enhancing cellular autophagy. Further, the interaction of HAS-CIRCpedia-5280 and miR-4712-5p was investigated. hBD-1 upregulated the expression level of HAS-CIRCpedia-5280 and downregulated the expression level of miR-4712-5p in colon cancer cells. Subsequently, the overexpression of HAS-CIRCpedia-5280 or the inhibition of miR-4712-5p activated the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, leading to cellular autophagy inhibition. Conversely, the mimicry of miR-4712-p counteracted the effect of HAS-CIRCpedia 5280 overexpression in colon cancer cells by inhibiting the activation of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and, thereby, enhancing cellular autophagy.

CONCLUSION

hBD-1 can have an inhibitory effect against cell proliferation in colon cancer SW-620/HCT-116 cells via the HAS-CIRCpedia-5280/miR-4712-5p-mediated activation of autophagy.

Multi-omic and machine learning analysis of mitochondrial RNA modification genes in lung adenocarcinoma for prognostic and therapeutic implications

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, driven by complex pathogenesis and poor prognosis. Recognizing the pivotal role of mitochondrial RNA modifications (MRM) in cancer progression, this study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of MRM-related genes and their clinical relevance in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Integrating multi-omic datasets, we systematically explored the molecular features of MRM-related genes across various cancers and identified distinct expression patterns and prognostic associations. Single-cell analysis further reveals MRM-driven cell-cell interactions and pathway activation, particularly in cycling and epithelial cells. Using advanced machine learning techniques, we developed a novel prognostic signature-the Mitochondrial RNA Modification-related Signature (MRMS)-comprising nine genes: TXN, LDHA, HMGA1, SFTPB, KRT8, ALG3, S100A16, HSPD1, and ALDOA. The MRMS demonstrates superior predictive performance for LUAD survival compared to previously reported models. Our findings uniquely link MRMS to increased tumor mutational burden, genetic instability, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment characterized by reduced immune cell infiltration and elevated tumor purity. Additionally, MRMS is associated with immunotherapy-related features, suggesting its potential in predicting treatment response. Experimental validation identified ALG3 as an oncogenic driver in LUAD, influencing tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In conclusion, this study establishes MRMS as a robust prognostic biomarker and highlights its dual role in shaping the tumor immune microenvironment and guiding therapeutic strategies. These findings provide novel insights into mitochondrial RNA modifications and their potential applications in personalized treatment for LUAD.

Efficacy of thiazole derivatives against colorectal cancer induced by dimethylhydrazine in male Wistar rats

Identifying novel biological activities in hit compounds remains a significant challenge in cancer research. In this study, we evaluated the anticancer and safety profiles of two previously studied thiazole-based derivatives, Les-5303 and Les-6485, in a colorectal cancer (CRC) model induced by dimethylhydrazine (DMH) in male Wistar rats. CRC was induced through subcutaneous DMH administration at a 20 mg/kg dose for 20 weeks. Les-5303 and Les-6485 were then administered intrarectally at a 6 mg/kg dose for 5 days. The effects of these compounds on oxidative stress, the antioxidant system, inflammation, NO-synthase activity in the colonic mucosa and blood plasma, and hepatotoxicity markers, were thoroughly assessed. Both compounds demonstrated significant anticancer activity and antioxidant properties. Les-5303, however, exhibited increased hepatotoxicity, as evidenced by elevated AST activity and reduced urea concentration in the blood, indicating its potential for liver damage. In contrast, Les-6485 showed no significant hepatotoxic effects, maintaining normal hepatic enzyme activities and urea levels, suggesting a better safety profile. These findings highlight the distinct biological effects of Les-5303 and Les-6485, with Les-6485 showing promising anticancer activity coupled with minimal toxicity, making it a more favorable candidate for further development in CRC treatment.

The prognostic significance of epoxide hydrolases in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant cancer. Epoxide hydrolases (EHs) are involved in the development of cancer by regulating epoxides, but their relationship with CRC is unclear. We used multiple datasets to confirm the expression of different EPHX family members in CRC tissues, and to explore their association with different clinicopathologic characteristics. The Kaplan-Meier method, correlation analysis and random forest algorithm were used to evaluate the prognostic value of EPHX family members for CRC. Finally, the cell experiment verified function of EPHX4 in CRC. The expressions of EPHX1 and EPHX2 were significantly decreased, while those of EPHX3 and EPHX4 were significantly increased in CRC. The expressions of EPHX family members were correlated with some clinicopathologic features and overall survival. The expressions of the EPHX family were positively associated with CD274, CTLA4, HAVCR2, and TIGIT. EPHX2 and EPHX4 were diagnostic and predictive biomarkers for CRC. EPHX4 promoted the malignant phenotype of CRC cells. Our study firstly elucidated the prognostic significance of EPHX family members in CRC and identified novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for CRC.

Value of brief hematological characteristics in differentiating carcinoembryonic-antigen-negative colorectal cancer from benign colorectal diseases

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the most common malignancies worldwide, with a significant subset of patients exhibiting absence of carcinoembryonic-antigen (CEA) expression. The lack of effective diagnostic method for CEA-negative CRC prevents its early treatment.

AIM

To identify potentially valuable biomarkers for identifying CEA-negative CRC, the hematological characteristics of patients with CEA-negative CRC was investigated.

METHODS

In this retrospective analysis, 74 patients were included who had been pathologically confirmed to have CEA-negative CRC, along with 79 individuals diagnosed with benign colorectal conditions. The utility of various biomarkers was evaluated using analysis of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

RESULTS

Compared with patients with benign colorectal diseases, those with CEA-negative CRC had lower hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) and lymphocyte-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (LRR), and higher platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that HRR was negatively correlated with T stage (r = -0.237), LRR was negatively correlated with T stage (r = -0.265) and distant metastasis (r = -0.321), and PLR was positively correlated with T stage (r = 0.251) (all P < 0.05). ROC analysis indicated that HRR outperformed LRR and PLR in identifying CEA-negative CRC. Combining HRR and PLR provided the highest area under the curve (area under the curve = 0.808; sensitivity = 82.43%; specificity = 68.35%) for distinguishing CEA-negative CRC from benign colorectal diseases.

CONCLUSION

HRR, LRR, and PLR alone or in combination could be used to distinguish CEA-negative CRC from benign colorectal diseases.

Downregulation of solute carrier family 4 members 4 as a biomarker for colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the major cancer types associated with increased mortality worldwide. Hence, identifying reliable biomarkers make it very essential for early diagnosis and prognosis of CRC. Numerous studies have been conducted to decipher molecular mechanisms underlying CRC, however more deep insightful knowledge is the need of the hour. The purpose of this study was to identify promising key candidate genes in colorectal cancer (CRC) and assess their expression and clinical significance. To clarify and verify promising key biomarkers with signal transduction pathways in colorectal cancer, we integrated 11 microarray datasets from NCBI-GEO. This study utilized multiple bioinformatics tools and databases, including OncoDB, GEO2R, UALCAN, GEIPA, TIMER, and DAVID. The gene expression profiles of eleven datasets (GSE10714, GSE113513, GSE13471, GSE15960, GSE24514, GSE32323, GSE41258, GSE4183, GSE44076, GSE44861, GSE9348) were screened. In 11 gene expression profiles, 3 downregulated genes were identified and validated by databases such as OncoDB, UALCAN, GEIPA and TIMER. Downregulation of SLC4A4 with significant predictive value was validated by multi-omic data analysis and validated by Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). GEIPA survival analysis showed that low SLC4A4 expression correlated with poorer overall survival among CRC patients. Based on this study, we identified SLC4A4 as a potential candidate biomarker for colorectal cancer (CRC), enabling early diagnosis and prognosis with molecular targeted therapy.

Identification and functional characterization of m1A-related genes in colorectal cancer: implications for prognosis, immune infiltration, and therapeutic strategies

Introduction

Colorectal cancer (CRC), characterized by its complex genetic heterogeneity and varied responses to treatment, is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The role of N1-methyladenosine (m1A)-related genes in tumor biology remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of m1A-related genes in CRC, characterize their role in tumor molecular subtyping, and explore their influence on the tumor microenvironment (TME) and immune infiltration.

Methods

To identify prognostic markers, univariate Cox analysis was performed using multiple datasets, including TCGA and GEO, identifying 43 m1A-related genes. Four distinct molecular subtypes of CRC were defined based on the expression of these genes using non-negative matrix factorization (NMF). Immune infiltration analysis was conducted, and the TIDE algorithm was used to predict response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Furthermore, a prognostic model based on m1A-related genes was constructed and validated across multiple datasets.

Results

The results demonstrated that the four CRC molecular subtypes exhibited significant differences in survival outcomes and clinical characteristics. Stromal cells showed higher m1A scores, suggesting a regulatory role in the TME. There was a positive correlation between m1A-related gene expression and immune checkpoint genes. Moreover, the constructed prognostic model showed robust predictive performance and outperformed other recently published models.

Discussion

The findings suggest that m1A-related genes are not only valuable biomarkers for CRC prognosis but also have significant implications for the immune landscape and could serve as potential targets for therapeutic intervention, particularly in the context of immunotherapy. For instance, SLC12A2 was found to enhance invasion, proliferation, and migration of colorectal cancer cells while inhibiting apoptosis. Further studies are needed to understand the functional roles of m1A modifications across different cell types within the TME.

A simple and enzyme-free method for sensitive p53 analysis based on DNAzyme-mediated signal amplification

There is an urgent demand for a simple yet extremely accurate biosensor to analyze tumorigenesis. Herein, we present a novel fluorescent and enzyme-free approach for detecting p53 gene cascading proximity ligation-mediated catalytic hairpin assembly and DNAzyme-assisted signal reaction. When the target p53 gene is present, the interaction between p53 and L1 and L2 chains initiates catalytic hairpin assembly and subsequently exposes DNAzyme in the P3 probe. The exposed DNAzyme binds with the loop region of the P4 probe and generates a nicking site, resulting in the release of a significant amount of ATMND that is conjugated in the stem section of P4. This leads to an amplified fluorescence response, which serves as a fluorescence signal for the detection of the p53 gene. This method allows for the accurate and sensitive identification of the p53 gene, exhibiting a linear reaction range of 1 fM to 1 nM, with a limit of detection as low as 0.23 fM. Furthermore, this fluorescent method has been utilized for the examination of clinical samples with a favorable recovery rate. Crucially, this versatile platform may be expanded to analyze different targets by changing the corresponding recognition unit, showing great potential for point-of-care testing in tumorigenesis analysis.

Colorectal carcinoma organoid and cancer-associated fibroblasts co-culture system for drug evaluation

Patient-derived organoids (PDO) have the potential to be used as preclinical cancer models for testing anti-cancer drug efficiency. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which have been closely linked with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) progression and drug resistance, however, are generally not included (or gradually lost during culture) in the PDO models, leading to a major limitation in this cancer model. In this study, we established a new in vitro model with CRC organoids and co-cultured with CAFs and compared it with the organoid-only model. Through testing with anti-cancer drug, we demonstrated a significant difference in drug sensitivity between the two models, and the co-culture model showed higher drug resistance. RNA and whole exome sequencing were performed to reveal gene expression profiles in organoids and organoids co-culture with CAFs to assess interactions between drug sensitivity and gene copy number variation. We found that the expression levels of several pathway protein genes, which are highly expressed in original surgical specimens of colorectal carcinomas, were downregulated in organoids but restored in organoids by co-culturing with CAFs. In summary, the PDO-CAF joint model for CRC can recapitulate a more biomimetic tumor microenvironment and the drug resistance lead by changes in multiple signaling pathways that we discovered; thus, it could be a suitable model for future usage in drug discovery and precision medicine research.

The impact of apoptosis-inducing MAPK and glycolytic pathways modulated by Aloe vera and royal jelly in lung and colorectal cancer

Lung and colon cancer are among the most commonly diagnosed and fatal cancer types in the world. Due to their metastatic properties, they complicate the treatment process and pose a great threat to human health. These aggressive types of cancer are resistant to chemotherapy drugs. Therefore, it is extremely important to investigate the therapeutic effects of natural compounds. In our previous study, effective doses of Royal Jelly (RJ) (100 mg/mL) and Aloe vera (AVE) (20 µg/mL) were determined and tested separately and in combination on lung and colorectal cancer cells. Glycolytic capacities were determined using the Seahorse XFe24 Analyzer, total transcriptome profiles were sequenced using NovaSeq 6000, and BAX and BCL-2 gene levels were determined using RT-qPCR. It was seen that RJ and RJ + AVE affected glycolytic capacity and more genes in lung cancer cells. In HT29, AVE alone was seen to reduce glycolytic capacity and RJ + AVE combination was seen to reduce the expression level of genes related to cell proliferation and cycle. After RJ + AVE treatments, the apoptotic process which is triggered via MAPK pathway was found in lung cancer. Moreover, BAX levels increased and BCL-2 levels decreased both lung and colorectal cancer cells. It was observed that the combination of RJ and AVE affected the glycolysis process, cell cycle, proliferation and apoptosis on lung and colorectal cancer. In particular, the combination of RJ + AVE was found to be more effective on lung cancer.

Accurate colorectal cancer detection using a random hinge exponential distribution coupled attention network on pathological images

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common and deadly forms of cancer worldwide, necessitating accurate and early detection to improve treatment outcomes. Traditional diagnostic methods often rely on manual examination of pathological images, which can be time-consuming and prone to human error. This study presents an advanced approach for colorectal cancer detection using a Random Hinge Exponential Distribution coupled Attention Network (RHED-CANet) on pathological images. The input dataset is sourced from the TCGA-CRC-DX cohort and the CRC dataset, both widely recognized for their comprehensive coverage of colorectal cancer cases. Pre-processing and feature extraction are performed using a Modified Square Root Sage-Husa Adaptive Kalman Filter combined with a Spike-Driven Transformer, enhancing noise reduction and feature clarity. Segmentation is achieved through an EfficientNetV2L Inception Transformer, ensuring precise delineation of cancerous regions. The final classification utilizes the RHED-CANet, a network tailored to handle the complexities of pathological data with high accuracy. This methodology achieved remarkable results, with an accuracy of 99.9% and a precision of 99.7%. These performance metrics underscore the method's ability to minimize false positives and enhance diagnostic accuracy. The proposed approach offers significant advantages, including a reduction in diagnostic time and a substantial improvement in detection accuracy, making it a promising tool for clinical applications. Despite its excellent accuracy, the suggested RHED-CANet technique has drawbacks, such as overfitting the TCGA-CRC-DX and CRC datasets by reducing generalizability on other datasets comprising other cancer types or image qualities. The actual application of the techniques in real-time clinical applications may be hampered by this computational load, especially in settings with limited resources, and the model's potential computational complexity due to multiple advanced processing steps. Additionally, the efficiency of training may be impacted by biased inputs, particularly for minor CRC subtypes.

The Proapoptotic Effect of MB-653 Is Associated with the Modulation of Metastasis and Invasiveness-Related Signalling Pathways in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide and has a high mortality rate. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxic, proapoptotic, and anti-invasive effects of the synthetic indole phytoalexin MB-653. The antiproliferative effect was determined using an MTT assay, showing IC50 values of 5.8 ± 0.3 μmol/L for HCT116 cells and 6.1 ± 2.1 μmol/L for Caco2 cells. Flow cytometry and Western blot analysis were employed to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying cytotoxicity, proapoptotic action, and anti-invasion effects. The proapoptotic activity was evidenced by the activation of caspases 3 and 7, mitochondrial dysfunction, and an increased number of apoptotic cells, confirmed by annexin V/PI and AO/PI staining. Additionally, MB-653 induces dose-dependent G2/M phase cell cycle arrest, the cause of which could be cyclin B1/CDC2 complex dysfunction and/or a decrease in α-tubulin protein expression. Another important observation was that MB-653 modulated several signalling pathways associated with various cellular activities, including survival, proliferation, tumour invasiveness, metastasis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We further demonstrated its safety for topical and parenteral application. To sum up, our results indicate the real potential of MB-653 in treating colorectal cancer.

Comprehensive Analysis of m6A-Related Programmed Cell Death Genes Unveils a Novel Prognostic Model for Lung Adenocarcinoma

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) involves complex dysregulated cellular processes, including programmed cell death (PCD), influenced by N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification. This study integrates bulk RNA and single-cell sequencing data to identify 43 prognostically valuable m6A-related PCD genes, forming the basis of a 13-gene risk model (m6A-related PCD signature [mPCDS]) developed using machine-learning algorithms, including CoxBoost and SuperPC. The mPCDS demonstrated significant predictive performance across multiple validation datasets. In addition to its prognostic accuracy, mPCDS revealed distinct genomic profiles, pathway activations, associations with the tumour microenvironment and potential for predicting drug sensitivity. Experimental validation identified RCN1 as a potential oncogene driving LUAD progression and a promising therapeutic target. The mPCDS offers a new approach for LUAD risk stratification and personalised treatment strategies.

Clinical relevance of plasma-derived exosomal long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) CCAT1 and XIST in colorectal cancer patients

The expression level of exosomal long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can be relevant for clinical diagnostic approaches. The object of our study was to evaluate the differential expression of lncRNAs colon cancer associated transcript 1 (CCAT1) and X-inactive specific transcript (XIST) in plasma exosomes of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and investigate their potential as clinical biomarkers. In a case-control study, 62 CRC patients and 62 healthy persons were studied. Plasma exosomes were isolated by a centrifugation approach and were characterized by microscopy and western blotting. After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, using real-time PCR technique, the relative expression of lncRNAs was evaluated. The expression levels of lncRNA CCAT1, but not XIST, were meaningfully increased in the plasma-derived exosomes of CRC patients compared to non-cancer individuals (p= 0.001, 0.083 respectively). Further analyses revealed that the expression levels of exosomal lncRNA CCAT1 were associated with the lymphovascular invasion and tumor differentiation (p<0.05). ROC curve analysis documented a diagnostic power for lncRNA CCAT1 in CRC with a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 80% with an optimal cutoff point 6.5, with an area under curve (AUC)=86% and p<0.0001. Also, lncRNA XIST revealed a sensitivity of 62% and a specificity of 61% with a cutoff point 2.4, with an AUC=65%. Our findings indicated the potential of plasma-derived exosomal lncRNA CCAT1 as a non-invasive clinical indicator for the diagnosis of CRC patients.

Mechanism Study of Bufalin Reversal of Drug Resistance by Inhibiting Hypoxic Colon Cancer Cell-Induced Polarization of M2 Macrophages

Chemoresistance is still an important factor affecting the efficacy of treatment in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Hypoxia is related to poor prognosis and treatment resistance in cancer. Relevant studies have shown that a hypoxic microenvironment can promote the polarization of M2 macrophages and thus promote tumor development. Previous research has found that bufalin has a wide range of antitumor effects, but whether bufalin can reverse tumor resistance by improving the hypoxic tumor microenvironment is still unclear. In present research, it was found that high expression of SRC-3 in CRC cells under hypoxic conditions promoted the polarization of M2 and caused chemotherapy resistance, while bufalin, a monomeric drug used in Chinese medicine, reduced the level of SRC-3 and HIF-1α, thereby reversing chemoresistance. In addition, overexpression of SRC-3 reduced the hypoxia-mitigating effect of bufalin on CRC cells to promote the polarization of M2. Bufalin also inhibits the polarization of M2 caused by hypoxic CRC cells. Therefore, bufalin has the potential to become a new adjuvant therapy that can be further explored in future studies on its treatment of CRC.

Serum biomarkers REG1A and REG3A combined with the traditional CEA represent a novel nomogram for the screening and risk stratification of colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

To develop and validate a serum protein nomogram for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening.

METHODS

The serum protein characteristics were extracted from an independent sample containing 30 colorectal cancer and 12 polyp tissues along with their paired samples, and different serum protein expression profiles were validated using RNA microarrays. The prediction model was developed in a training cohort that included 1345 patients clinicopathologically confirmed CRC and 518 normal participants, and data were gathered from November 2011 to January 2017. The lasso logistic regression model was employed for features selection and serum nomogram building. An internal validation cohort containing 576 CRC patients and 222 normal participants was assessed.

RESULTS

Serum signatures containing 27 secreted proteins were significantly differentially expressed in polyps and CRC compared to paired normal tissue, and REG family proteins were selected as potential predictors. The C-index of the nomogram1 (based on Lasso logistic regression model) which contains REG1A, REG3A, CEA and age was 0.913 (95% CI, 0.899 to 0.928) and was well calibrated. Addition of CA199 to the nomogram failed to show incremental prognostic value, as shown in nomogram2 (based on logistic regression model). Application of the nomogram1 in the independent validation cohort had similar discrimination (C-index, 0.912 [95% CI, 0.890 to 0.934]) and good calibration. The decision curve (DCA) and clinical impact curve (ICI) analysis demonstrated that nomogram1 was clinically useful.

CONCLUSIONS

This study presents a serum nomogram that included REG1A, REG3A, CEA and age, which can be convenient for screening of colorectal cancer.

Fecal methylated syndecan-2 (SDC2) testing for early screening of colorectal cancerous and precancerous lesions: A real-world retrospective study in China

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major public health concern and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. However, challenges remain in deploying effective screening strategies for early-stage CRC. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a fecal-based syndecan-2 (SDC2) methylation test for the detection of colorectal lesions and CRC.

Methods

We retrospectively collected data on participants who underwent fecal SDC2 methylation testing from January 1, 2019, to May 30, 2023. Patients with positive results were recommended to undergo colonoscopy. Performance indicators associated with certain clinical characteristics, including positive rate (PR), positive predictive value (PPV), and colonoscopy compliance rate (CCR), were subjected to statistical analysis.

Results

We analyzed data from 113,209 participants, of whom 11,841 (10.4% PR) had positive fecal SDC2 methylation test results. A total of 4315 participants with positive results adhered to the colonoscopy recommendations, and the CCR was 36.4%. Finally, 3169 colorectal lesions were detected, including 1134 polyps, 875 non-advanced adenomas (NAAs), 770 advanced adenomas (AAs), and 390 CRCs, with PPV values of 26.3% (1134/4315), 20.3% (875/4315), 17.8% (770/4315), and 9.0% (390/4315), respectively. Notably, the PPV for CRC increased significantly with age (χ 2 = 164.40, P < 0.0001). In addition, as the cycle threshold (CT) values increased, the PPVs of AAs and CRCs generally decreased, whereas those of NAAs and polyps significantly increased. Moreover, the clinical patient group had the highest incidence of late-stage CRC (stage II and higher), whereas asymptomatic populations from the staff physical examination group and rural town-based screening programs had the highest number of stage 0 and I CRCs detected (P = 0.0107).

Conclusions

This study indicates that fecal SDC2 methylation testing combined with colonoscopy may be an effective screening method for colorectal lesions and CRC.

Advances in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer: the application of molecular biomarkers and imaging techniques: a literature review

Background

Following neoplasms of the lung and breast, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent malignancy globally. Screening for CRC at the age of 50 years is strongly encouraged for prompt earlier diagnosis owing to prognoses being greatly correlated with time of detection and cancer staging.

Aim

This review aimed to elucidate the most recent advancements in the detection of CRC, with an emphasis on the latest innovations in diagnostic molecular biomarkers in conjunction with radiological imaging alongside stool-based tests for CRC screening.

Methods

A comprehensive review of the literature was performed, focusing on specific terms in different electronic databases, including that of PubMed/MEDLINE. Keywords pertaining to "colorectal cancer," "diagnosis," "screening," "imaging," and "biomarkers," among others, were employed in the search strategy. Articles screened and evaluated were deemed relevant to the study aim and were presented in the medium of the English language.

Results

There have been several innovations in the diagnostics and identification of CRC. These generally comprise molecular biomarkers, currently being studied for suitability in disease detection. Examples of these include genetic, epigenetic, and protein biomarkers. Concurrently, recent developments in CRC diagnostics highlight the advancements made in radiological imaging that offer precise insights on tumor biology in addition to morphological information. Combining these with statistical methodologies will increase the sensitivity and specificity of CRC diagnostics. However, putting these strategies into reality is hampered by several issues.

Conclusion

Progress in diagnostic technology alongside the identification of a few prognostic predictive molecular biomarkers suggested great promise for prompt detection and management of CRC. This clearly necessitates further efforts to learn more in this specific sector.

Intestinal epithelial glycocalyx and intestinal disease

With the continuous research on glycobiology, more and more diseases are found to be associated with the glycocalyx. Glycocalyx can be categorized as endothelial glycocalyx and epithelial glycocalyx. Past studies mostly target endothelial glycocalyx, and this review focuses on the structure and function of intestinal epithelial glycocalyx, its degradation mechanism and biological relevance to different diseases of the intestinal tract, as well as the targeted delivery of drugs to organs by nanoparticle libraries mimicking the glycocalyx, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the study of potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets of intestinal epithelial glycocalyx in intestinal diseases.

Roles of WDR12 and MRTO4 genes in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer refers to malignant tumors occurring in the walls of the colon or rectum. The roles of WD Repeat Domain 12 (WDR12) and mitochondrial ribosome-associated tumor suppressor 4 (MRTO4) genes in colorectal cancer remain unclear. The colorectal cancer dataset GSE113513 configuration file was downloaded from the gene expression omnibus database generated from GPL15207. Differentially expressed genes screening, functional enrichment analysis, gene set enrichment analysis, Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis, construction and analysis of protein-protein interaction networks, survival analysis, and gene expression heatmap plotting were conducted. Comparative toxicogenomics database analysis was performed to find diseases most relevant to core genes. TargetScan was used to screen miRNAs regulating core genes. A total of 3106 differentially expressed genes were identified. According to gene ontology analysis, they mainly enriched in organic acid metabolic processes, condensed chromosome kinetochore, oxidoreductase activity, and cell cycle. In Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analysis, they primarily concentrated in the cell cycle, TGF-β signaling pathway, Jak-STAT signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, Ras signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, p53 signaling pathway, NF-kB signaling pathway, and WNT signaling pathway. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis with a soft thresholding power set to 12 generated 29 modules. The protein-protein interaction network identified 6 core genes (DDX27, NAT10, WDR12, DKC1, MRTO4, and NOP56). Survival analysis showed core genes (POSTN, MYH11, LUM, COL6A3, and COL4A1) as risk factors. Gene expression heatmap revealed high expression of core genes (WDR12 and MRTO4) in colorectal samples. Comparative toxicogenomics database analysis linked core genes (WDR12 and MRTO4) with local tumor infiltration, bowel obstruction, abdominal pain, and colorectal neoplasms. WDR12 and MRTO4 genes are highly expressed in colorectal cancer, potentially influencing its progression.

Factors influencing the colorectal surveillance adherence in Lynch Syndrome: A retrospective monocentric study

BACKGROUND

Lynch syndrome (LS), an autosomal dominant disorder resulting from germline pathogenic variants in DNA mismatch repair genes, poses an elevated risk of developing different types of cancer, particularly colorectal and endometrial. Early identification of LS individuals is vital for implementing preventive measures. This study aims to assess the adherence rate of LS individuals to colorectal surveillance and identify influencing factors.

METHODS

Data from the Hereditary Digestive Tumors Registry at Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori of Milan from 1995 to 2018 were analyzed. The study included 397 LS patients, as categorized based on adherence to surveillance. Statistical analyses, including multivariable logistic regression, were employed to identify factors influencing adherence.

RESULTS

Out of 397 LS patients, 305 (76.8%) completed surveillance, and 92 (23.2%) were lost during surveillance. Fifty-two patients developed colorectal cancer during the surveillance: 34 among patients who completed the surveillance and 18 among those who did not (p<0.036). Factors positively influencing adherence included genetic counseling and higher education, while the distance from the referral center had a negative impact. The survival rate was 83.5% at 240-months.

CONCLUSIONS

This study emphasizes the importance of adhering to a regular colorectal surveillance program for LS individuals. Genetic counseling and higher education emerged as a crucial factor positively affecting adherence. The negative impact was observed for geographical distance from the referral center.

mirSNPs as Potential Colorectal Cancer Biomarkers: A Systematic Review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common neoplasm in the world and the second with the highest mortality rate. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in microRNA (miRNA) genes known as mirSNPs may be related to dysregulated miRNA expression in several neoplasms. This systematic review aims to investigate studies that investigate SNPs located in regions of miRNA genes that influence their expression and are associated with CRC, as well as their potential as biomarkers for the disease, based on the available literature. For this, searches were performed in public databases, including MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus. The rigorous review of the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and the methodological quality of these studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool. Of the 175 studies identified, 26 were considered eligible: 18 of them highlighted mirSNPs as potential biomarkers of risk and prognosis for CRC; 4 studies suggested a protective role; 1 study linked mirSNPs to treatment; 3 studies found no relevant evidence. These results highlight the importance of conducting further research on the topic, given the potential of these biomarkers to contribute to risk assessment, prognosis, and the development of therapeutic strategies for patients with CRC.

Liquid biopsy in cancer current: status, challenges and future prospects

Cancer has a high mortality rate across the globe, and tissue biopsy remains the gold standard for tumor diagnosis due to its high level of laboratory standardization, good consistency of results, relatively stable samples, and high accuracy of results. However, there are still many limitations and drawbacks in the application of tissue biopsy in tumor. The emergence of liquid biopsy provides new ideas for early diagnosis and prognosis of tumor. Compared with tissue biopsy, liquid biopsy has many advantages in the diagnosis and treatment of various types of cancer, including non-invasive, quickly and so on. Currently, the application of liquid biopsy in tumor detection has received widely attention. It is now undergoing rapid progress, and it holds significant potential for future applications. Around now, liquid biopsies encompass several components such as circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA, exosomes, microRNA, circulating RNA, tumor platelets, and tumor endothelial cells. In addition, advances in the identification of liquid biopsy indicators have significantly enhanced the possibility of utilizing liquid biopsies in clinical settings. In this review, we will discuss the application, advantages and challenges of liquid biopsy in some common tumors from the perspective of diverse systems of tumors, and look forward to its future development prospects in the field of cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Neo-RAS Wild Type or RAS Conversion in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Comprehensive Narrative Review

The management of metastatic colorectal cancer in patients harboring RAS mutations primarily involves chemotherapy, often combined with bevacizumab, as a standard first-line treatment. However, emerging evidence suggests that tumors in a subset of these patients may experience a conversion from RAS-mutant status to RAS wild type (wt) during or after chemotherapy, a process referred to as "RAS conversion" or "neo-RAS wt". Understanding the mechanisms driving the neo-RAS wt phenomenon is crucial for its application in personalized medicine. Hypotheses suggest that selective pressure from chemotherapy may lead to a decrease in the number of mutant RAS clones or an outgrowth of pre-existing RAS wt clones. Further research is needed to validate these mechanisms and understand the impact of the neo-RAS wt phenomenon on long-term outcomes, such as overall survival and progression-free survival. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the neo-RAS wt phenomenon, including its incidence, potential mechanisms, and clinical implications.

GC-MS and multivariate analysis reveal partial serum metabolome restoration by bevacizumab in a colon cancer rat model: An untargeted metabolomics investigation

Bevacizumab is an anti-angiogenic therapeutic agent that targets vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and has been approved for the treatment of several types of cancer, including colon cancer. Herein, a GC-MS based metabolomics approach was employed to investigate the impact of bevacizumab on the serum metabolome of colon cancer rats. Multivariate chemometric analysis models such as PCA and PLS-DA showed a clear separation between the control, cancer and bevacizumab-treated groups, suggesting that bevacizumab administration induced significant metabolic alterations. Furthermore, pairwise comparisons between the studied groups using the OPLS-DA model in addition to univariate analysis identified several discriminatory metabolites belonged to various chemical classes including amino acids, organic acids and fatty acids that were perturbed between the studied groups. Interestingly, bevacizumab treatment was able to partially restore some of the cancer-induced metabolic disturbances, indicating its potential therapeutic efficacy via improving the tumor vasculature and nutrient delivery. Besides, pathway analysis of the differential metabolites identified key metabolic pathways affected by bevacizumab, which included valine, leucine and isoleucine metabolism, pyruvate metabolism and butanoate metabolism. However, little effects were observed on lipid metabolites such as palmitic acid and stearic acid and consequently their related metabolic pathways such as fatty acid biosynthesis metabolism suggesting that bevacizumab has more prominent effect on energy and amino acid metabolisms as compared to fatty acid metabolism in colon cancer rats. Overall, our study provided novel insights into the metabolic mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of bevacizumab in colon cancer rats via the use of a comprehensive GC-MS metabolomics approach.

Construction of Prognostic Prediction Models for Colorectal Cancer Based on Ferroptosis-Related Genes: A Multi-Dataset and Multi-Model Analysis

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant health burden globally, necessitating a deeper understanding of its molecular landscape and prognostic markers. This study characterized ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) to construct models for predicting overall survival (OS) across various CRC datasets.

Methods

In TCGA-COAD dataset, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between tumor and normal tissues using DESeq2 package. Prognostic genes were identified associated with OS, disease-specific survival, and progression-free interval using survival package. Additionally, FRGs were downloaded from FerrDb website, categorized into unclassified, marker, and driver genes. Finally, multiple models (Coxboost, Elastic Net, Gradient Boosting Machine, LASSO Regression, Partial Least Squares Regression for Cox Regression, Ridge Regression, Random Survival Forest [RSF], stepwise Cox Regression, Supervised Principal Components analysis, and Support Vector Machines) were employed to predict OS across multiple datasets (TCGA-COAD, GSE103479, GSE106584, GSE17536, GSE17537, GSE29621, GSE39084, GSE39582, and GSE72970) using intersection genes across DEGs, OS, disease-specific survival, and progression-free interval, and FRG categories.

Results

Six intersection genes (ASNS, TIMP1, H19, CDKN2A, HOTAIR, and ASMTL-AS1) were identified, upregulated in tumor tissues, and associated with poor survival outcomes. In the TCGA-COAD dataset, the RSF model demonstrated the highest concordance index. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed significantly lower OS probabilities in high-risk groups identified by the RSF model. The RSF model exhibited high accuracy with AUC values of 0.978, 0.985, and 0.965 for 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival predictions, respectively. Calibration curves demonstrated excellent agreement between predicted and observed survival probabilities. Decision curve analysis confirmed the clinical utility of the RSF model. Additionally, the model's performances were validated in GSE29621 dataset.

Conclusions

The study underscores the prognostic relevance of 6 intersection genes in CRC, providing insights into potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers for patient stratification. The RSF model demonstrates robust predictive performance, suggesting its utility in clinical risk assessment and personalized treatment strategies.

WDR77 in Pan-Cancer: Revealing expression patterns, genetic insights, and functional roles across diverse tumor types, with a spotlight on colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

Despite its involvement in regulating various cellular functions, the expression and role of WD repeat-containing protein 77 (WDR77) in cancer remain elusive. This study aims to explore the expression and potential roles of WDR77 across multiple cancers, with a particular focus on its relevance in colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

We obtained WDR77 RNA-seq data, mutations, CNVs, and DNA methylation data from the TCGA, GTEx, and GEO databases to investigate its expression patterns and prognostic value. Additionally, we examined the correlation between WDR77 expression and somatic mutations, copy number variations, DNA methylation, and mRNA modifications. We utilized GSVA, GSEA algorithms, and CRISPR KO data from the Dependency Map database to explore WDR77's potential biological functions. The association between WDR77 and the tumor immune microenvironment was investigated using ESTIMATE and IOBR algorithms. Finally, we assessed WDR77 expression in CRC and its impact on cell proliferation through qRT-PCR, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, CCK8, colony formation, and EdU assays.

RESULTS

WDR77 was upregulated in various tumors and correlated with poor patient prognosis. Its high expression positively correlated with pathways related to cell proliferation and negatively correlated with immune-related pathways. In CRC, WDR77 expression was associated with specific clinical features, genomic alterations, and immune microenvironment characteristics. Experimental validation confirmed upregulated WDR77 expression in CRC tissues and cells, with WDR77 knockdown significantly inhibiting CRC cell proliferation.

CONCLUSION

WDR77 holds potential as an oncogene and biological marker in various cancers, particularly CRC.

Circulating exosomal PCAT1 as a complement of carcinoembryonic antigen for early colorectal cancer diagnosis

Backgrounds

Given the global prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC), advancements in prompt and accurate diagnosis are crucial. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in serum exosomes are emerging as potential diagnostic biomarkers. This study evaluated the feasibility of using serum exosomal lncRNAs for early-stage CRC diagnosis in clinical practice.

Methods

Candidate serum exosomal lncRNAs were identified through an integrated analysis of two GEO datasets (GSE100206 and GSE100063) containing non-coding RNA expression profiles in serum exosomes. Exosomes isolated from participants' serum were validated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunoblotting. The expression levels of serum exosomal PCAT1 were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Diagnostic accuracy was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

Serum exosomal PCAT1 levels were evaluated in 150 CRC patients, 66 patients with benign colorectal lesions, and 128 healthy controls. ROC analysis demonstrated high diagnostic efficacy of serum exosomal PCAT1 for CRC. Notably, the predictive performance was sufficient to distinguish early-stage CRC patients. Additionally, the diagnostic value was significant for CRC patients with low serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels. Measuring serum exosomal PCAT1 could complement CEA assessment, enhancing CRC diagnostic accuracy.

Conclusions

Serum exosomal PCAT1 can complement CEA assessment, aiding in early CRC diagnosis and helping to differentiate the disease, especially in patients with low CEA levels.

Serum extracellular vesicles 3'tRF-ThrCGTand 3'tRF-mtlleGAT combined with tumor markers can serve as minimally invasive diagnostic predictors for colorectal cancer

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and timely diagnosis and intervention are crucial for cancer patients. Transfer RNA-derived fragments (tRFs) play a noncoding regulatory role in organisms. Serum EV(extracellular vesicles), as an integral mediator of intercellular transmission of genetic information vesicles in Transfer RNA-derived fragment (tRF RNA), are expected to be minimally invasive diagnostic and predictive biologic factors of CRC.

Methods

Collect serum samples from 205 CRC patients, and then isolate extracellular vesicles from the serum. Captured the physical morphology of EV through transmission electron microscopy. The particle size was detected by particle size assay, and protein expression on the surface of EV was verified by Western blot. Gene microarrays were screened for differentially expressed tRF-RNA. TRF RNAs were verified by qPCR for differential expression in 205 CRC patients and 201 healthy donors, assessing the CRC diagnostic efficiency by area under the curve (AUC).

Results

Compared with 201 healthy donors, CRC patients experienced significantly down-regulated serum EV 3'tRF-ThrCGT while significantly up-regulated 3'tRF-mtlleGAT. Serum EV 3'tRF-ThrCGT and 3'tRF-mtlleGAT predictive diagnostic efficiency: 0.669 and 0.656, and the combination of CEA and CA724 predictive diagnostic efficiency was 0.938.

Conclusion

The study data showed that 3'tRF-ThrCGT and 3'tRF-mtlelGAT can be minimally invasive diagnostic CRC indicators. The combination of tumor markers CEA and CA724 has important diagnostic significance.

Novel drug delivery systems in colorectal cancer: Advances and future prospects

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an abnormal proliferation of cells within the colon and rectum, leading to the formation of polyps and disruption of mucosal functions. The disease development is influenced by a combination of factors, including inflammation, exposure to environmental mutagens, genetic alterations, and impairment in signaling pathways. Traditional treatments such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are often used but have limitations, including poor solubility and permeability, treatment resistance, side effects, and post-surgery issues. Novel Drug Delivery Systems (NDDS) have emerged as a superior alternative, offering enhanced drug solubility, precision in targeting cancer cells, and regulated drug release. Thereby addressing the shortcomings of conventional therapies and showing promise for more effective CRC management. The present review sheds light on the pathogenesis, signaling pathways, biomarkers, conventional treatments, need for NDDS, and application of NDDS against CRC. Additionally, clinical trials, ongoing clinical trials, marketed formulations, and patents on CRC are also covered in the present review.

Emerging methods and techniques for cancer biomarker discovery

Modern cancer research depends heavily on the identification and validation of biomarkers because they provide important information about the diagnosis, prognosis, and response to treatment of the cancer. This review will provide a comprehensive overview of cancer biomarkers, including their development phases and recent breakthroughs in transcriptomics and computational techniques for detecting these biomarkers. Blood-based biomarkers have great potential for non-invasive tumor dynamics and treatment response monitoring. These include circulating tumor DNA, exosomes, and microRNAs. Comprehensive molecular profiles are provided by multi-omic technologies, which combine proteomics, metabolomics, and genomes to support the identification of biomarkers and the targeting of therapeutic interventions. Genetic changes are detected by next-generation sequencing, and patterns of protein expression are found by protein arrays and mass spectrometry. Tumor heterogeneity and clonal evolution can be understood using metabolic profiling and single-cell studies. It is projected that the use of several biomarkers-genetic, protein, mRNA, microRNA, and DNA profiles, among others-will rise, enabling multi-biomarker analysis and improving individualised treatment plans. Biomarker identification and patient outcome prediction are further improved by developments in AI algorithms and imaging techniques. Robust biomarker validation and reproducibility require cooperation between industry, academia, and doctors. Biomarkers can provide individualized care, meet unmet clinical needs, and enhance patient outcomes despite some obstacles. Precision medicine will continue to take shape as scientific research advances and the integration of biomarkers with cutting-edge technologies continues to offer a more promising future for personalized cancer care.

In vitro and in vivo antineoplastic activities of solamargine in colorectal cancer through the suppression of PI3K/AKT pathway

PURPOSE

Previous research has demonstrated the efficacy of SM in inhibiting tumor growth in various cancer types. The objective of this study was to examine the antineoplastic effects and molecular mechanisms of Solamargine (SM) in colorectal cancer.

METHODS

Colorectal cancer (CRC) cells were treated with different concentrations of SM to evaluate the anticancer concentration for further experimental measurements. Additionally, the antitumor efficacy of SM was assessed in a subcutaneously implanted tumor model of colorectal cancer. RNA-seq and bioinformatics analyses were employed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms in LoVo cells. Subsequently, the specific mechanism of SM-mediated anti-tumor activities was analyzed by protein expression methods.

RESULTS

The results of in vitro assays demonstrated that SM exhibits significant inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, clone formation, and invasion, while also promoting apoptosis in SW48 and LoVo cells. In a mouse xenograft tumor model, intragastric administration of SM at doses of 5 or 10 mg/kg effectively suppressed tumor volume and weight, and induced cell apoptosis in vivo. SM treatment also down-regulated PCNA and Cyclin E protein expression, contributing to the regulation of apoptosis. Further analysis using RNA-seq, bioinformatics, and experimental measurements revealed that SM treatment upregulates PTEN expression, while significantly reducing the phosphorylation levels of Akt and mTOR in LoVo cells.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides further evidence to support the notion that SM primarily induces apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells through the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Additionally, our investigation demonstrated the favorable safety profile of SM in a mouse model of colorectal cancer, thereby suggesting its potential as a promising therapeutic approach for the management of CRC.

Contribution of PKS+ Escherichia coli to colon carcinogenesis through the inhibition of exosomal miR-885-5p

Objectives

About 90 % of all colorectal cancer (CRC) fatalities are caused by the metastatic spread of primary tumors, which is closely correlated with patient survival and spreads by circulating tumor cells (CTCs). The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that characterizes CTCs is associated with a poor prognosis. Organotropic metastasis is dictated by the transmission of miRNAs by cancer-derived exosomes. The purpose of this research is to examine PKS + E's function. Coli in CRC metastases and exosomal miR-885-5p suppression.

Methods

A cohort of 100 patients (50 CRC, 50 healthy) underwent colonoscopy screenings from February 2018 to August 2021. Exosomes were isolated using ultracentrifugation, and exosomal miRNA was analyzed using sequencing and qPCR.

Results

Among the patients, 40 tested positive for E. coli (12 CRC, 23 healthy). Serotyping revealed that 68.57 % harbored the PKS gene. Exosomal miR-885-5p levels were significantly altered in CRC patients with PKS + E. coli. Intriguingly, our findings indicate that exosomes derived from EMT-CRC cells did not affect miR-885-5p synthesis in HUVECs. Moreover, we observed that the levels of miR-885-5p in both exosomes and the total CRC-conditioned medium were comparable upon isolation of exosomes from CRC cells. What's more, an increased expression of miR-558-5p within the tumors, and the group that received exosome treatment, as well as the EMT-HCT116 group, exhibited a higher occurrence of distant metastasis.

Conclusion

PKS + E. By inhibiting exosomal miR-885-5p, coli is linked to CRC metastases, offering a possible target for therapeutic intervention.

Personalised medicine based on host genetics and microbiota applied to colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks second in incidence and third in cancer mortality worldwide. This situation, together with the understanding of the heterogeneity of the disease, has highlighted the need to develop a more individualised approach to its prevention, diagnosis and treatment through personalised medicine. This approach aims to stratify patients according to risk, predict disease progression and determine the most appropriate treatment. It is essential to identify patients who may respond adequately to treatment and those who may be resistant to treatment to avoid unnecessary therapies and minimise adverse side effects. Current research is focused on identifying biomarkers such as specific mutated genes, the type of mutations and molecular profiles critical for the individualisation of CRC diagnosis, prognosis and treatment guidance. In addition, the study of the intestinal microbiota as biomarkers is being incorporated due to the growing scientific evidence supporting its influence on this disease. This article comprehensively addresses the use of current and emerging diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers in precision medicine against CRC. The effects of host genetics and gut microbiota composition on new approaches to treating this disease are discussed. How the gut microbiota could mitigate the side effects of treatment is reviewed. In addition, strategies to modulate the gut microbiota, such as dietary interventions, antibiotics, and transplantation of faecal microbiota and phages, are discussed to improve CRC prevention and treatment. These findings provide a solid foundation for future research and improving the care of CRC patients.

Overexpression of Osteopontin-a and Osteopontin-c Splice Variants Are Worse Prognostic Features in Colorectal Cancer

Background: Osteopontin (OPN) is a glycoprotein involved in various physiological and pathological processes, and its aberrant expression in cancer cells is closely linked to tumor progression. In colorectal cancer (CRC), OPN is overexpressed, but the roles of its splice variants (OPN-SVs), OPNa, OPNb, and OPNc, are not well understood. This study aimed to characterize the expression patterns of OPN-SVs and their potential diagnostic and prognostic implications in CRC using transcriptomic data deposited in TSVdb and TCGA. Methods: The expression patterns of each OPN-SV were analyzed using transcriptomic data deposited in TSVdb and TCGA, which were correlated to patient data available at cBioPortal. Results: Bioinformatic analysis revealed that OPNa, OPNb, and OPNc are overexpressed in CRC samples compared to non-tumor samples. Notably, OPNa and OPNc are overexpressed in CRC stages (II, III, and IV) compared to stage I. Higher levels of OPNa and OPNc transcripts are associated with worse overall survival (OS) and shorter progression-free survival (PFS) in CRC patients. Additionally, the expression of OPNa, OPNb, and OPNc is correlated with BRAFV600E mutations in CRC samples. Conclusions: These findings suggest that OPNa and OPNc, in particular, have potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, paving the way for their further evaluation in CRC diagnosis and prognosis.

Potential of sonobiopsy as a novel diagnosis tool for brain cancer

Brain tumors have a poor prognosis. Early, accurate diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Although brain surgical biopsy can provide an accurate diagnosis, it is highly invasive and risky and is not suitable for follow-up examination. Blood-based liquid biopsies have a low detection rate of tumor biomarkers and limited evaluation ability due to the existence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is composed of brain capillary endothelial cells through tight junctions, which prevents the release of brain tumor markers to the human peripheral circulation, making it more difficult to diagnose, predict prognosis, and evaluate therapeutic response through brain tumor markers than other tumors. Focused ultrasound (FUS)-enabled liquid biopsy (sonobiopsy) is an emerging technique using FUS to promote the release of tumor markers into the circulatory system and cerebrospinal fluid, thus facilitating tumor detection. The feasibility and safety data from both animal models and clinical trials support sonobiopsy as a great potential in the diagnosis of brain diseases.

TRIM24/ZFX affects the stemness and resistance to 5-FU of colorectal cancer cells

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death, and about 10% of all malignancies are CRC. Cancer stem cells are considered main culprits in CRC treatment resistance and disease recurrence. This study explored the effects of tripartite motif containing 24 (TRIM24) and zinc finger protein, X-linked (ZFX) on CRC cell stemness and 5-FU resistance. A 5-FU-resistant cell line (HT29-5-FU) was constructed for functional analysis of CRC 5-FU-resistant cells. qRT-PCR and western blot (WB) were employed to analyze mRNA and protein levels of ZFX in 5-FU resistant cells and sensitive cells. WB was also utilized to analyze the surface markers of stem cells in each group. CCK-8 assay determined the IC50 values of different cell groups treated with 5-FU. The sphere-forming ability of cells in each group was determined using tumor sphere assay. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay validated binding of ZFX to TRIM24. ZFX was highly expressed in HT29-5-FU cells. Silencing ZFX significantly reduced the 5-FU resistance and IC50 value of HT29-5-FU cells, and the surface markers and cell sphere-forming ability of stem cells were also significantly reduced. The function of HT29 cells was opposite when ZFX was overexpressed. In CRC cells, TRIM24 was an upstream transcription factor of ZFX, and they interacted with each other. TRIM24 activated the expression of ZFX to influence the stemness and 5-FU resistance of cells. The TRIM24/ZFX regulatory axis affected the stemness of CRC cells and their sensitivity to 5-FU, providing potential drug targets for novel therapeutic avenues for CRC.

Gut microbiota in colorectal cancer: From pathogenesis to clinic

Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer, with a significant burden on healthcare and social systems. Its incidence is constantly rising, due to the spread of unhealthy lifestyle, i.e. Western diet. Increasing evidence suggests that westernization-driven microbiome alterations may play a critical role in colorectal tumorigenesis. The current screening strategies for this neoplasm, mainly fecal immunochemical tests, are burdened by unsatisfactory accuracy. Novel, non-invasive biomarkers are rising as the new frontier of colorectal cancer screening, and the microbiome-based ones are showing positive and optimistic results. This Review describes our current knowledge on the role of gut microbiota in colorectal cancer, from its pathogenetic action to its clinical potential as diagnostic biomarker.

Quantitative parameters of dual-layer spectral detector computed tomography for evaluating differentiation grade and lymphovascular and perineural invasion in colorectal adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE

To explore the predictive value of dual-layer spectral detector CT (SDCT) quantitative parameters for determining differentiation grade, lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and perineural invasion (PNI) in colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRAC) patients.

METHODS

A total of 106 eligible patients with CRAC were included in this study. Spectral parameters, including CT values at 40 and 100 keV, the effective atomic number (Zeff), the iodine concentration (IC), the slope of the spectral Hounsfield unit (HU) curve (λHU), and the normalized iodine concentration (NIC) in the arterial phase (AP) and venous phase (VP), were compared according to the differentiation grade and the status of LVI and PNI. The diagnostic accuracies of the quantitative parameters with statistical significance were determined via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated.

RESULTS

There were 57 males and 49 females aged 43-86 (69 ± 10) years. The measured values of the spectral quantitative parameters of the CRAC were consistent within the observer (ICC range: 0.800-0.926). The 40 keV-AP, IC-AP, NIC-AP, 40 keV-VP, and IC-VP were significantly different among the different differentiation grades in the CRAC (P = 0.040, AUC = 0.673; P = 0.035, AUC = 0.684; P = 0.031, AUC = 0.639; P = 0.044, AUC = 0.663 and P = 0.035, AUC = 0.666, respectively). A statistically significant difference was observed in 40 keV-VP, 100 keV-VP, Zeff-VP, IC-VP, and λHU-VP between LVI-positive and LVI-negative patients (P = 0.003, AUC = 0.688; P = 0.015, AUC = 0.644; P = 0.001, AUC = 0.688; P = 0.001, AUC = 0.703 and P = 0.003, AUC = 0.677, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences in the values of the spectral parameters of the PNI state of patients with CRAC (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The quantitative parameters of SDCT had good diagnostic efficacy in differentiating between different grades and statuses of LVI in patients with CRAC; however, SDCT did not have value for identifying the state of PNI.

Urolithin C suppresses colorectal cancer progression via the AKT/mTOR pathway

Urolithin families are gut-microbial metabolites of ellagic acid (EA). Although urolithin A (UA) and urolithin B (UB) were reported to have antiproliferative activities in cancer cells, the role and related mechanisms of urolithin C (UC) in colorectal cancer (CRC) have not yet been clarified. In this study, we assess the antitumor activities of UC in vitro and in vivo and further explore the underlying mechanisms in CRC cell lines. We found that UC inhibited the proliferation and migration of CRC cells, induced apoptosis, and arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase in vitro, and UC inhibited tumor growth in a subcutaneous transplantation tumor model in vivo. Mechanically, UC blocked the activation of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by decreasing the expression of Y-box binding protein 1(YBX1). The AKT agonist SC79 could reverse the suppression of cell proliferation in UC-treated CRC cells. In conclusion, our research revealed that UC could prevent the progression of CRC by blocking AKT/mTOR signaling, suggesting that it may have potential therapeutic values.

Identification of hub genes and potential molecular mechanisms in MSS/MSI classifier primary colorectal cancer based on multiple datasets

OBJECTIVE

MSI has a better prognosis than MSS in colorectal cancer patients, and the main objective of this study was to screen for differentially expressed molecules between MSI and MSS primary colorectal cancers using bioinformatics.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Two gene expression datasets (GSE13294 and GSE13067) were downloaded from GEO, and differential expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed using GEO2R. Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genomes, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis were conducted using the DEGs. Furthermore, a Protein-Protein Interaction Networks (PPI) was constructed to screen for significant modules and identify hub genes. The hub genes were analyzed in colorectal cancer using GEPIA. The expression of hub genes in clinical samples was visualized using the online Human Protein Atlas (HPA).

RESULTS

A total of 265 common DEGs were identified in MSS primary colorectal cancer compared to MSI primary colorectal cancer. Among these, 178 DEGs were upregulated, and 87 DEGs were downregulated. Enrichment analysis showed that these DEGs were associated with the response to mechanical stimulus, regulation of cellular response to stress, G protein-coupled receptor binding, and other processes. A total of 5 hub genes was identified by cytoHubba: HNRNPL, RBM39, HNRNPH1, TRA2A, SRSF6. GEPIA software online analysis, 5 hub gene expression in colorectal cancer survival curve did not have significant differences. The expression of RBM39 was significantly different in different stages of colorectal cancer. The HPA online database results showed that the expression of the five hub proteins varied widely in CRC patients.

CONCLUSION

The hub genes, such as HNRNPH1and RBM39, and the spliceosome resulting from DEGs, which may provide novel insights and evidence for the future diagnosis and targeted therapy of MSS/MSI PCRC.

Serum Uric Acid Level May Be a Predictive Factor for BRAF V600E Mutation in Older Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: An Exploratory Analysis

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to show the relationship between the serum uric acid level measured at diagnosis and the BRAF mutation status in the primary tumor tissue in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

METHODS

In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 264 patients (64% male) whose serum uric acid level was measured at the time of diagnosis and whose BRAF mutation status in the primary tumor was determined were included.

RESULTS

The BRAF mutation rate was 14% (n = 37). The median serum uric acid levels of all patients were 6.9 mg/dL (25%, 75% percentile range 3.7, 8.2). The serum uric acid level cut-off value was 6.6 mg/dL. Sensitivity and specificity for BRAF mutated patients were 84% and 27%, respectively. These rates were calculated as 85% and 70% in BRAF-mutated patients aged 65 and over. There was a significant correlation between BRAF mutation and high serum uric acid level, female gender, tumor located in the ascending colon, and multiple metastatic sites. The independent factors affecting BRAF mutation were age 65 and over, tumor in the ascending colon, and high serum uric acid level.

CONCLUSION

As a result, we concluded that high serum uric acid level measured during diagnosis in metastatic colorectal cancer is an accessible and economical biomarker that can predict BRAF mutation in patients aged 65 and over.

Association of body composition indicators with colorectal cancer: a hospital-based case-control study

PURPOSE

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy that affects adults worldwide, causing a high disease burden. Few studies have examined the relationship between body composition (BC) measures and the prevalence of CRC. Our purpose was to investigate the relationship between pertinent BC indicators and CRC.

METHODS

Bioelectrical impedance analysis, laboratory test results, face-to-face questionnaire investigation, and nutritional risk assessment (Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 and Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment) were used in this case-control study. Bioelectrical impedance analysis in the case group was performed prior to antitumor therapy/surgery.

RESULTS

From June 2018 to January 2019, a total of 303 cases and 286 controls were included. The results showed that low body fat percentage (BFP) and high visceral adiposity index (VAI) groups had a higher risk of developing CRC in comparison to the normal BFP and normal VAI groups. The risk of CRC decreased with the increase of BFP. The group with a normal BC had a lower risk of developing CRC compared to those with a greater VAI and a lower BFP, as indicated by the results of the pairwise and total combinations of VAI, fat-free mass index (FFMI), and BFP. Additionally, FFMI and VAI had positive correlations with prealbumin, serum albumin, and nutritional risk scores.

CONCLUSION

Low BFP and high VAI are associated with higher CRC risk. FFMI and VAI are positively correlated with prealbumin, serum albumin, and nutritional risk scores in CRC patients.