Construction of a multimodal esophageal cancer prognostic model with screening of key genes and investigation of their biological functions
Abstract Purpose Despite decreased esophageal carcinoma incidence, its prognosis remains challenging. We aimed to develop a multimodal prognostic model to optimize treatment strategies and elucidate biological mechanisms of key regulatory genes. Methods Pivotal prognostic genes were screened using i...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Discover Oncology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-03404-3 |
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| author | Zhengsong Chang Yiru Li Mengyao Wang Xin Zhang Qiang Bai Huan Luo Pengyun Deng Liping Yang Xiaomei Li |
| author_facet | Zhengsong Chang Yiru Li Mengyao Wang Xin Zhang Qiang Bai Huan Luo Pengyun Deng Liping Yang Xiaomei Li |
| author_sort | Zhengsong Chang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Purpose Despite decreased esophageal carcinoma incidence, its prognosis remains challenging. We aimed to develop a multimodal prognostic model to optimize treatment strategies and elucidate biological mechanisms of key regulatory genes. Methods Pivotal prognostic genes were screened using integrated bioinformatics and immunohistochemistry. A multimodal model combining PET/CT radiomics (metabolic tumor volume, SUV), clinicopathological parameters (lymph node metastasis, differentiation grade, infiltration depth), and molecular biomarkers was established and validated. Functional experiments and co-immunoprecipitation/transcriptomic sequencing explored biological roles and molecular networks. Results CASQ2 emerged as a key prognostic gene. The validated model integrated CASQ2 expression, radiomic features (MTV/SUV), and clinical staging, demonstrating high predictive accuracy. Functional assays confirmed that CASQ2 overexpression enhanced esophageal cancer cell proliferation and invasion. Mechanistically, CASQ2 activated AKT/PI3K signaling and disrupted calcium homeostasis, with protein interaction and transcriptomic analyses delineating its regulatory network. Conclusion We established a multimodal prognostic model incorporating molecular, radiomic, and clinical parameters, and identified CASQ2 as a critical regulator of esophageal carcinogenesis. CASQ2 likely drives tumor progression through AKT/PI3K signaling and calcium pathway dysregulation, offering dual therapeutic targets. This integrative approach advances personalized prognosis prediction and mechanistic understanding. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-11291f85015e4e93915e550fea427c3b |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2730-6011 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Oncology |
| spelling | doaj-art-11291f85015e4e93915e550fea427c3b2025-08-20T03:05:05ZengSpringerDiscover Oncology2730-60112025-08-0116111710.1007/s12672-025-03404-3Construction of a multimodal esophageal cancer prognostic model with screening of key genes and investigation of their biological functionsZhengsong Chang0Yiru Li1Mengyao Wang2Xin Zhang3Qiang Bai4Huan Luo5Pengyun Deng6Liping Yang7Xiaomei Li8Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University Cancer HospitalDepartment of Pathology, Harbin Medical University Cancer HospitalDepartment of Pathology, Harbin Medical University Cancer HospitalDepartment of Pathology, Harbin Medical University Cancer HospitalDepartment of Pathology, Shenzhen People’s HospitalDepartment of Pathology, Harbin Medical University Cancer HospitalDepartment of Pathology, Harbin Medical University Cancer HospitalDepartment of PET/CT, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityDepartment of Pathology, Harbin Medical University Cancer HospitalAbstract Purpose Despite decreased esophageal carcinoma incidence, its prognosis remains challenging. We aimed to develop a multimodal prognostic model to optimize treatment strategies and elucidate biological mechanisms of key regulatory genes. Methods Pivotal prognostic genes were screened using integrated bioinformatics and immunohistochemistry. A multimodal model combining PET/CT radiomics (metabolic tumor volume, SUV), clinicopathological parameters (lymph node metastasis, differentiation grade, infiltration depth), and molecular biomarkers was established and validated. Functional experiments and co-immunoprecipitation/transcriptomic sequencing explored biological roles and molecular networks. Results CASQ2 emerged as a key prognostic gene. The validated model integrated CASQ2 expression, radiomic features (MTV/SUV), and clinical staging, demonstrating high predictive accuracy. Functional assays confirmed that CASQ2 overexpression enhanced esophageal cancer cell proliferation and invasion. Mechanistically, CASQ2 activated AKT/PI3K signaling and disrupted calcium homeostasis, with protein interaction and transcriptomic analyses delineating its regulatory network. Conclusion We established a multimodal prognostic model incorporating molecular, radiomic, and clinical parameters, and identified CASQ2 as a critical regulator of esophageal carcinogenesis. CASQ2 likely drives tumor progression through AKT/PI3K signaling and calcium pathway dysregulation, offering dual therapeutic targets. This integrative approach advances personalized prognosis prediction and mechanistic understanding.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-03404-3Esophageal cancerCASQ2Prognostic modelMultimodalAKT/PI3K |
| spellingShingle | Zhengsong Chang Yiru Li Mengyao Wang Xin Zhang Qiang Bai Huan Luo Pengyun Deng Liping Yang Xiaomei Li Construction of a multimodal esophageal cancer prognostic model with screening of key genes and investigation of their biological functions Discover Oncology Esophageal cancer CASQ2 Prognostic model Multimodal AKT/PI3K |
| title | Construction of a multimodal esophageal cancer prognostic model with screening of key genes and investigation of their biological functions |
| title_full | Construction of a multimodal esophageal cancer prognostic model with screening of key genes and investigation of their biological functions |
| title_fullStr | Construction of a multimodal esophageal cancer prognostic model with screening of key genes and investigation of their biological functions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Construction of a multimodal esophageal cancer prognostic model with screening of key genes and investigation of their biological functions |
| title_short | Construction of a multimodal esophageal cancer prognostic model with screening of key genes and investigation of their biological functions |
| title_sort | construction of a multimodal esophageal cancer prognostic model with screening of key genes and investigation of their biological functions |
| topic | Esophageal cancer CASQ2 Prognostic model Multimodal AKT/PI3K |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-03404-3 |
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