Identification of anoikis-related and cell matrix adhesion genes in the progression of colon adenocarcinoma using bioinformatics analysis.

Abstract

To develop an innovative prognostic model for colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), we integated anoikis- and cell matrix adhesion (CMA related mechanisms using TCGA and GEO datasets. Six genes (BST2, NAT1, OFCC1, HOTAIR, TRIP6, ADAMTS13) were identified, risk model stratified patients into high- and low risk groups with distinct survival (p=0.025), validated in GSE17536. A nomogram showed good predictive accuracy. Functional enrichment highlighted tumor-, anoikis-, and CMA-related pathways, immune infiltration correlated with prognostic signature and risk score. High-risk patients were more sensitive to afatinib, osimertinib, and navitoclax; low-risk patients to paclitaxel, docetaxel, and gemcitabine. These genes may serve as prognostic biomarkers and guide tailored COAD therapy.