CYP4X1 Expression Is Associated with Metastasis and Poor Prognosis in Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer mortality globally.
• Current treatments for CRC, including targeted therapy and immunotherapy, highlight the need for novel biomarkers.
• Identifying new prognostic and therapeutic targets is crucial for improving patient outcomes in CRC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of the gene CYP4X1 in colorectal cancer (CRC).
• To determine the association between CYP4X1 expression levels and patient survival and clinicopathological features.
• To evaluate CYP4X1 as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for CRC.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of CYP4X1 expression in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues versus normal tissues using TCGA databases (GENT2, UALCAN, GEPIA).
• Correlation analysis of CYP4X1 expression with TNM stage, tumor differentiation, invasion depth, and lymph node metastasis.
• In vitro assays (WST-1, Transwell, colony formation) and in vivo tumor formation assays in mice following siRNA-mediated CYP4X1 downregulation in colon cancer cells.

Main Results:

• CYP4X1 expression was significantly elevated in CRC tissues compared to normal tissues.
• High CYP4X1 expression correlated with advanced TNM stage, poor tumor differentiation, deeper invasion, and lymph node metastasis.
• Downregulation of CYP4X1 inhibited proliferation, invasion, migration, and colony formation of colon cancer cells in vitro and reduced tumor formation in vivo, with high expression linked to shorter survival times.

Conclusions:

• Overexpression of CYP4X1 is significantly associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) progression.
• CYP4X1 serves as an independent prognostic marker for CRC patients.
• CYP4X1 represents a potential therapeutic target for colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment.