Telomere Maintenance Characteristics Predict Prognosis and Therapeutic Response in Colorectal Cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Genetics
• Immunotherapy

Background:

• Telomere length is linked to colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and survival.
• Telomere Maintenance-related Genes (TMGs) role in CRC prognosis and immunotherapy response requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify TMGs for predicting immunotherapy response and prognosis in CRC patients.
• To develop a risk score model for CRC prognosis and assess its correlation with drug sensitivity.

Main Methods:

• Utilized TCGA and GEO databases for CRC gene expression and clinical data.
• Employed Weighted Gene Co-Expression Analysis (WGCNA) to identify TMG-related gene modules.
• Constructed a risk score model using Cox regression analysis on key prognostic genes (CDC25C, USP39).

Main Results:

• A higher TMG score correlated with poorer immune infiltration and stromal scores in CRC.
• The developed risk score model demonstrated good survival prediction across independent cohorts.
• High-risk patients exhibited altered immune cell infiltration and reduced sensitivity to most drugs.

Conclusions:

• A TMG-related signature, based on CDC25C and USP39, effectively predicts CRC prognosis and immunotherapy response.
• The established risk score model offers a reliable tool for prognostic prediction in CRC.
• TMGs provide a new molecular basis for developing individualized treatment strategies in CRC.