Differences in the peripheral blood immune landscape between early-onset and late-onset colorectal cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. While screening has reduced incidence in older adults, cases of early-onset CRC (EOCRC), diagnosed before age 50, are rising, highlighting the need to understand its unique biology. Immune responses, particularly T-cell infiltration measured by the tumor-based Immunoscore, are known predictors of CRC prognosis, but less is known about systemic immune differences by age at diagnosis.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from EOCRC (n=19) and late-onset CRC (LOCRC; n=19) participants recruited in Madrid (Spain) were analyzed for immune cell phenotypes, exhaustion markers, soluble cytokines, and metabolic activity.

Results

Our study revealed distinct peripheral blood immune

SUBMITTER: Sanchez-Menendez C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12711750 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature