Micro-environmental changes indicate potential for subclinical intestinal tissue damage in early-age-onset colorectal cancer patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

While improved screening rates have contributed to an overall decrease in the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC), the incidence of early-age-onset CRC (EAO CRC; age <50 years) has increased. Here, we characterize the genetic alterations and tumor microenvironment (TME) for EAO and later-age-onset (LAO) CRCs to identify relevant biological differences that might point to etiologic factors.

Methods

A cohort of EAO (n = 60) and LAO (n = 93) CRC patients were evaluated for mutations by using targeted DNA sequencing and for TME differences by using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) PanCancer Atlas colorectal adenocarcinoma cohort was evaluated for transcriptional changes between EAO (n = 

SUBMITTER: Kraus SG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11842056 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature