Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38654221›Full record

ArticleBMC cancer2024

Identification of BGN positive fibroblasts as a driving factor for colorectal cancer and development of its related prognostic model combined with machine learning.

Shangshang Hu, Qianni Xiao, Rui Gao, Jian Qin, Junjie Nie, Yuhan Chen, Jinwei Lou, Muzi Ding, Yuqin Pan, Shukui Wang

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC cancer, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
2.0field-weighted citation impact, top 14% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed, 5 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. ERO1A-positive tumor epithelial cells in colorectal cancer progression: a multi-omics perspective.Apoptosis : an international journal on programmed cell death · 2025
    Article
  4. Translational cancer research · 2025
    Article
  5. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Shangshang Hu *School of Medicine, Southeast University, 210009, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Qianni Xiao *School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 211122, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Rui GaoSchool of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 211122, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Jian QinSchool of Medicine, Southeast University, 210009, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Junjie NieSchool of Medicine, Southeast University, 210009, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Yuhan ChenSchool of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 211122, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Jinwei LouSchool of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 211122, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Muzi DingSchool of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 211122, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Yuqin PanGeneral Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, No. 68, Changle Road, 210006, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. panyuqin01@163.com.
Shukui WangSchool of Medicine, Southeast University, 210009, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. sk_wang@njmu.edu.cn.
China Pharmaceutical University · CNNanjing Medical University · CN

Funding

Elderly Health Research Project of Jiangsu Province LR2021017Jiangsu Provincial Key Research and Development Plan BE2019614Jiangsu Provincial Medical Key Discipline Cultivation Unit JSDW202239Key projects of Health Science and technology development in Nanjing ZKX21042National Natural Science Foundation of China 82272629, 81972806, 82203489Postgraduate Research & Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province JX12014127Specialized Cohort Research Project of Nanjing Medical University NMUC2020035, NMUC2021013A
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundNumerous studies have indicated that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a crucial role in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, there are still many unknowns regarding the exact role of CAF subtypes in CRC.

methodsThe data for this study were obtained from bulk, single-cell, and spatial transcriptomic sequencing data. Bioinformatics analysis, in vitro experiments, and machine learning methods were employed to investigate the functional characteristics of CAF subtypes and construct prognostic models.

resultsOur study demonstrates that Biglycan (BGN) positive cancer-associated fibroblasts (BGN + Fib) serve as a driver in colorectal cancer (CRC). The proportion of BGN + Fib increases gradually with the progression of CRC, and high infiltration of BGN + Fib is associated with poor prognosis in terms of overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in CRC. Downregulation of BGN expression in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) significantly reduces migration and proliferation of CRC cells. Among 101 combinations of 10 machine learning algorithms, the StepCox[both] + plsRcox combination was utilized to develop a BGN + Fib derived risk signature (BGNFRS). BGNFRS was identified as an independent adverse prognostic factor for CRC OS and RFS, outperforming 92 previously published risk signatures. A Nomogram model constructed based on BGNFRS and clinical-pathological features proved to be a valuable tool for predicting CRC prognosis.

conclusionIn summary, our study identified BGN + Fib as drivers of CRC, and the derived BGNFRS was effective in predicting the OS and RFS of CRC patients.

Indexed as

BiglycanCancer-Associated FibroblastsColorectal NeoplasmsMachine LearningBiomarkers, TumorCell MovementCell ProliferationFemaleGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticHumansMalePrognosisTumor MicroenvironmentBGN protein, humanBiglycanBiomarkers, TumorCancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs)Colorectal cancer (CRC)Machine learningPrognosis

Identifiers

PMID38654221
PMCPMC11041013
OpenAlexW4395037678

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.