Pathogenomic analysis reveals clinically relevant epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: Rationale: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a highly aggressive malignancy. The metastasis and poor prognosis of ESCC are closely associated with tumor microenvironment (TME) heterogeneity, which is driven by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Clinically, how to diagnose and target EMT progression remains a key challenge for ESCC. Methods: Integration of pathological images and bulk RNA sequencing profiles identified a high-risk subtype exhibiting EMT enrichment and immunosuppression. Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics revealed EMT macrostates and their spatial distribution. The role of CACNA1C in programming malignant phenotype was tested in vitro. A pathological image-based deep learning model successfully predicted the spatial expressio

SUBMITTER: Chen R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12846784 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature