Cancer-associated fibroblast-derived gene signatures determine prognosis in colon cancer patients

According to the Consensus Molecular Subtype classification (CMS) in CC, the mesenchymal or CMS4 group is characterized by stromal invasion, extracellular matrix remodeling and TGF-β signaling activation. [...]our group defined a gene expression profile associated with CAFs with high pro-migratory effects on colon tumor cells, which was associated with patients’ poor prognosis. The combination of the two signatures (50 + 50 genes) did not greatly improve the separation of the survival curves of low- and high-“signature gene score” patients (Fig. 2g), indicating that there was no overlapping gene between the two gene signatures. [...]they include features that are closely related or measure similar characteristics in the colon tumors, though from two perspectives: CAF gene deregulation and fibroblasts/other cells’ crosstalk. Since these patients are usually those with worse outcomes, new therapies targeting microenvironment components would improve their clinical management.