Project description:To identify the gene expression of early-onset colorectal cancer, we sampled early-onset colorectal cancer patients (age < 50) and late-onset colorectal cancer paitients (age > 70) We then performed gene expression profiling analysis using data obtained from RNA-seq of early-onset colorectal cancer tissues and late-onset colorectal cancer tissues.
Project description:Background: Causative genes for autosomal dominantly inherited familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) have been well characterized. There is, however, another 10-15 % early onset colorectal cancer (CRC) whose genetic components are currently unknown. In this study, we used DNA chip technology to systematically search for genes differentially expressed in early onset CRC. Keywords: disease state analysis
Project description:Despite a decrease in the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) over the last 40 years, the incidence of CRC in people under 50 years old is increasing around the globe. Early onset (50 years old) and late onset (65 years old) CRC appear to have differences in their clinicopathological and genetic features, but it is unclear if there are differences in the tumor microenvironment. We hypothesized that the immune microenvironment of early onset CRC is distinct from late onset CRC and promotes tumor progression. We used Nanostring immune profiling to analyze mRNA expression of immune genes in FFPE surgical specimens from patients with early (N=40) and late onset (N=39) CRC. We found three genes, SAA1, C7, and CFD, have increased expression in early onset colorectal cancer and distinct immune signatures based on the tumor location. After adjusting for clinicopathological features, increased expression of CFD and SAA1 were associated with worse progression free survival and increased expression of C7 was associated with worse overall survival. We also performed gain of function experiments with CFD and SAA1 in subcutaneous tumor murine models and found that CFD is associated with higher tumor volumes, impacted several immune genes and impacted three genes in mice that were also found to be differentially expressed in early onset CRC (EGR1, PSMB9, CXCL9). Our data demonstrate that the immune microenvironment, characterized by a distinct innate immune response signature in early onset CRC, is unique, location dependent, and might contribute to worse outcomes.