Prognostic gene expression profile of colorectal cancer

Gene. 2025 Jul 5:955:149433. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2025.149433. Epub 2025 Mar 22.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is a major global health burden, with significant heterogeneity in clinical outcomes among patients. Identifying robust prognostic gene expression signatures can help stratify patients, guide treatment decisions, and improve clinical management. This review provides an overview of current prognostic gene expression profiles in colorectal cancer research. We have synthesized evidence from numerous published studies investigating the association between tumor gene expression patterns and patient survival outcomes. The reviewed literature reveals several promising gene signatures that have demonstrated the ability to predict disease-free survival and overall survival in CRC patients, independent of standard clinicopathological risk factors. These genes are crucial in fundamental biological processes, including cell cycle control, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and immune regulation. The implementation of prognostic gene expression tests in clinical practice holds great potential for enabling more personalized management strategies for colorectal cancer.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Colorectal Neoplasms; Gene Expression; Precision Medicine; Tumor Prognosis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor* / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / mortality
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Prognosis
  • Transcriptome*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor