Focusing on DC cells to optimize the prediction of prognosis and innovative treatment strategies for colon cancer

Abstract Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with immune cells, particularly dendritic cells (DCs), playing an essential part in the advancement of tumors and immunotherapy response. However, the prognostic significance of genes associated with dendr...

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Main Authors: Chaobo Chen, Zhengqiu Wang, Bo Xi, Zipeng Xu, Chunlong Zhao, Weidong Hu, Chen Ge, Genxi Tong, Fengjun Cai, Mingli Zhou, Yihang Yuan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01792-8
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author Chaobo Chen
Zhengqiu Wang
Bo Xi
Zipeng Xu
Chunlong Zhao
Weidong Hu
Chen Ge
Genxi Tong
Fengjun Cai
Mingli Zhou
Yihang Yuan
author_facet Chaobo Chen
Zhengqiu Wang
Bo Xi
Zipeng Xu
Chunlong Zhao
Weidong Hu
Chen Ge
Genxi Tong
Fengjun Cai
Mingli Zhou
Yihang Yuan
author_sort Chaobo Chen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with immune cells, particularly dendritic cells (DCs), playing an essential part in the advancement of tumors and immunotherapy response. However, the prognostic significance of genes associated with dendritic cells (DCRGs) in COAD remains underexplored. This study aims to identify DCRGs, construct a risk scoring system, and evaluate its prognostic and therapeutic implications. Data from single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of COAD tissues were examined for the detection of DCRGs. Transcriptomic and clinical data from TCGA and GEO were used to construct a DC Related Index (DCRI) via WGCNA, differential expression, univariate Cox regression, and LASSO-Cox analysis. The DCRI was validated in internal and external cohorts. Immune infiltration, MSI status, immune checkpoint expression, and drug sensitivity were analyzed to assess clinical relevance. Functional experiments were performed to investigate the role of PPP2CB in COAD progression. A five-gene signature (CTSD, DAPK1, TIMP1, TBXAS1, PPP2CB) was identified and used to construct a DCRI. The DCRI effectively stratified patients into high- and low-DCRI groups, with significant survival differences. High-DCRI patients exhibited distinct immune infiltration patterns, higher MSI scores, and increased sensitivity to immunotherapy. Functional experiments revealed PPP2CB as a protective factor, with its downregulation inhibits COAD cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. We developed a novel DCRI that accurately predicts COAD prognosis and immunotherapy response. PPP2CB was identified as a potential therapeutic target, offering new insights for personalized COAD treatment strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-3ea9f5e008384b2b8692695ce4f85a482025-08-20T01:53:11ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111610.1038/s41598-025-01792-8Focusing on DC cells to optimize the prediction of prognosis and innovative treatment strategies for colon cancerChaobo Chen0Zhengqiu Wang1Bo Xi2Zipeng Xu3Chunlong Zhao4Weidong Hu5Chen Ge6Genxi Tong7Fengjun Cai8Mingli Zhou9Yihang Yuan10Department of General Surgery, Xishan People’s Hospital of Wuxi CityDepartment of Gastroenterology, Xishan People’s Hospital of Wuxi CityDepartment of Pharmacology, Zunyi Medical UniversityDepartment of General Surgery, Xishan People’s Hospital of Wuxi CityDepartment of Gastroenterology, Xishan People’s Hospital of Wuxi CityDepartment of General Surgery, Xishan People’s Hospital of Wuxi CityDepartment of General Surgery, Xishan People’s Hospital of Wuxi CityDepartment of General Surgery, Xishan People’s Hospital of Wuxi CityDepartment of General Surgery, Xishan People’s Hospital of Wuxi CityDepartment of General Surgery, Affiliated Wuxi Fifth Hospital of Jiangnan UniversityDepartment of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated Hospital of Medical School Nanjing UniversityAbstract Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with immune cells, particularly dendritic cells (DCs), playing an essential part in the advancement of tumors and immunotherapy response. However, the prognostic significance of genes associated with dendritic cells (DCRGs) in COAD remains underexplored. This study aims to identify DCRGs, construct a risk scoring system, and evaluate its prognostic and therapeutic implications. Data from single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of COAD tissues were examined for the detection of DCRGs. Transcriptomic and clinical data from TCGA and GEO were used to construct a DC Related Index (DCRI) via WGCNA, differential expression, univariate Cox regression, and LASSO-Cox analysis. The DCRI was validated in internal and external cohorts. Immune infiltration, MSI status, immune checkpoint expression, and drug sensitivity were analyzed to assess clinical relevance. Functional experiments were performed to investigate the role of PPP2CB in COAD progression. A five-gene signature (CTSD, DAPK1, TIMP1, TBXAS1, PPP2CB) was identified and used to construct a DCRI. The DCRI effectively stratified patients into high- and low-DCRI groups, with significant survival differences. High-DCRI patients exhibited distinct immune infiltration patterns, higher MSI scores, and increased sensitivity to immunotherapy. Functional experiments revealed PPP2CB as a protective factor, with its downregulation inhibits COAD cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. We developed a novel DCRI that accurately predicts COAD prognosis and immunotherapy response. PPP2CB was identified as a potential therapeutic target, offering new insights for personalized COAD treatment strategies.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01792-8Colon adenocarcinomaDendritic cellsDCRIImmunotherapyPPP2CBPrognosis
spellingShingle Chaobo Chen
Zhengqiu Wang
Bo Xi
Zipeng Xu
Chunlong Zhao
Weidong Hu
Chen Ge
Genxi Tong
Fengjun Cai
Mingli Zhou
Yihang Yuan
Focusing on DC cells to optimize the prediction of prognosis and innovative treatment strategies for colon cancer
Scientific Reports
Colon adenocarcinoma
Dendritic cells
DCRI
Immunotherapy
PPP2CB
Prognosis
title Focusing on DC cells to optimize the prediction of prognosis and innovative treatment strategies for colon cancer
title_full Focusing on DC cells to optimize the prediction of prognosis and innovative treatment strategies for colon cancer
title_fullStr Focusing on DC cells to optimize the prediction of prognosis and innovative treatment strategies for colon cancer
title_full_unstemmed Focusing on DC cells to optimize the prediction of prognosis and innovative treatment strategies for colon cancer
title_short Focusing on DC cells to optimize the prediction of prognosis and innovative treatment strategies for colon cancer
title_sort focusing on dc cells to optimize the prediction of prognosis and innovative treatment strategies for colon cancer
topic Colon adenocarcinoma
Dendritic cells
DCRI
Immunotherapy
PPP2CB
Prognosis
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01792-8
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