Translation element EIF4A1 is a potential divergent immune biomarker between colon cancer and rectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE

Given the global high incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) and the need for subtype-specific molecular targets, this study aims to investigate the role and therapeutic potential of EIF4A1 in colon and rectal cancers.

INTRODUCTION

The potential of Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A1(EIF4A1) to guide prognosis and inform immunotherapeutic strategies in colon and rectal cancers warrants further investigation.

METHODS

EIF4A1 expression levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and EIF4A1 protein expression was evaluated via immunohistochemistry (IHC). Additionally, multi-dimensional database analyses were performed to characterize the biological functions of EIF4A1 and explore its heterogeneity in CRC.

RESULTS

EIF4A1 expression was upregulated in both colon and rectal cancers, with significant associations with poor survival outcomes. Functional enrichment analyses indicated that EIF4A1 was predominantly associated with the neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) network in colon cancer. Strong positive correlations between EIF4A1 expression and neutrophil infiltration were observed in both cancer subtypes. Notably, EIF4A1 exhibited divergent immune infiltration patterns: a strong positive correlation with CD8+ T cells in colon cancer, versus a negative correlation with CD4+ T cells in rectal cancer. EIF4A1 also showed strong positive correlations with immune checkpoint molecules (PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA4, and LAG-3) in colon cancer, whereas these correlations were weaker in rectal cancer.

CONCLUSION

The heterogeneity of EIF4A1 and its differential roles in driving cancer progression between colon and rectal cancers highlight the need for subtype-specific immunotherapeutic strategies for these malignancies.