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Prognostic Value of LC3A Protein Expression Patterns in Rectal Cancer Tumors.
Vincent Ho1,2, Liping Chung1,2, Tristan Rutland1,3
1School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
Cancers
|May 14, 2025
Summary
The presence of stone-like structures (SLS) of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 alpha (LC3A) in rectal tumors indicates a poorer prognosis. This autophagy marker
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Autophagy is a cellular degradation process crucial for cell survival and implicated in tumor progression.
- Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 alpha (LC3A) is a key marker of autophagosome formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of LC3A in rectal cancer.
- To determine the clinicopathological significance and prognostic value of LC3A expression in rectal cancer.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze LC3A expression in tumor samples from 243 rectal cancer patients.
- Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression were employed to assess prognostic value.
Main Results:
- Three LC3A expression patterns were identified: diffuse cytoplasmic, perinuclear, and stone-like structures (SLS).
- Positivity for LC3A SLS in the tumor periphery was associated with significantly worse overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).
- This association was particularly pronounced in patients with advanced tumor stages (T3-T4).
Conclusions:
- LC3A SLS in the tumor periphery may serve as a valuable biomarker for predicting survival outcomes in rectal cancer.
- Further research is warranted to explore the therapeutic implications of LC3A expression patterns.
