Relationship between the expression level of the stem cell gene LGR5 and the clinical characteristics and prognosis of colon cancer
10.3760/cma.j.cn115396-20250326-00073
- VernacularTitle:干细胞基因 LGR5表达水平与结肠癌临床特点及预后的关系
- Author:
Yuan LIU
1
;
Jianning SONG
Author Information
1. 首都医科大学附属北京友谊医院检验科，北京 100050
- Keywords:
Stem cells;
Colonic neoplasms;
Prognosis;
LGR5 expression
- From:
International Journal of Surgery
2025;52(5):326-331
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the relationship between the expression level of the stem cell gene LGR5 and the clinical characteristics and prognosis of colon cancer. Methods:This study included 585 patients with colon cancer, whose clinical data and transcriptome sequencing data were derived from the GSE39582 dataset in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Among the 585 patients, 322 were male and 263 were female, with ages ranging from 24 to 96 years with a mean age of (67±13) years. According to the TNM staging system, 38 patients were classified as stage Ⅰ, 271 as stage Ⅱ, 210 as stage Ⅲ, and 60 as stage Ⅳ, with staging information missing for 6 patients. The expression level of LGR5 in tumor tissues was detected using gene sequencing technology, and patients were divided into high-expression group (expression level≥7.306, n=292) and low-expression group (expression level<7.306, n=293) based on the median expression level of LGR5(7.306). Clinical characteristics and molecular features between the two groups were compared using t-tests or χ2 tests. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and the log-rank test were used to analyze survival data, including comparisons of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Results:The expression level of LGR5 was not significantly correlated with the TNM staging of colon cancer but was closely related to the molecular biological features of the tumor. In the high-expression group of LGR5, tumors were more frequently located in the distal colon, with higher proportions of pMMR, CIMP -, CIN +, and BRAF wild type, higher tumor cell purity, and less immune cell infiltration. Survival analysis showed that the overall survival (OS) of the high-expression group was significantly better than that of the low-expression group ( P=0.008 4), with median survival times of 170 months and 96 months, respectively; however, there was no significant difference in disease-free survival (DFS) between the two groups ( P=0.36). Variables that showed significant differences between the two groups were identified and subjected to subgroup analysis. Subgroup analysis indicated that in colon cancer through the traditional adenoma-carcinoma pathway, high expression of LGR5 was associated with better overall survival, while in colon cancer through other molecular biological pathways, the expression level of LGR5 was not significantly related to prognosis. Conclusions:The expression level of LGR5 is significantly correlated with the molecular biological features of colon cancer and serves as a favorable prognostic indicator in colon cancer through the traditional adenoma-carcinoma pathway. LGR5 may be involved in the occurrence, development, and prognosis of colon cancer by affecting the tumor microenvironment and tumor cell characteristics.
