Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40358726›Full record

ArticleCancer immunology, immunotherapy : CII2025

KLF12 as a potential biomarker for lateral pelvic lymph node metastases in advanced rectal cancer.

Tianxian Xiao, Fangze Wei, Sicheng Zhou, Fuqiang Zhao, Fei Huang, Liu Qian

Erratum issuedAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cancer immunology, immunotherapy : CII, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Tianxian Xiao *Department of Colorectal Surgery, National Cancer Center / National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
Fangze Wei *Department of Colorectal Surgery, National Cancer Center / National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
Sicheng ZhouBreast Disease Center, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China.
Fuqiang ZhaoDepartment of Colorectal Surgery, National Cancer Center / National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
Fei HuangDepartment of Colorectal Surgery, National Cancer Center / National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
Liu QianDepartment of Colorectal Surgery, National Cancer Center / National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China. fcwpumch@163.com.

Funding

CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences No.2022-I2M-C&T-B-057National Key Research and Development Program of China No. 2022YFC2505003
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Rectal cancer accounts for approximately 40% of colorectal cancer cases, and lateral pelvic lymph node (LPLN) metastasis in rectal cancer significantly increases the local recurrence rate. Despite its clinical significance, studies on the molecular biology of LPLN metastasis are relatively scarce. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms by identifying hub regulatory genes in LPLN tissues and analyzing differentially expressed genes shared between tumor and pericarcinomatous tissues within our clinical cohort. To investigate the biological functions of these hub regulatory genes, we performed GSEA, GO, and KEGG pathway analyses on mRNA-Seq data. Among the identified hub genes, KLF12 emerged as a pivotal regulatory gene in rectal cancer. We further explored its clinical relevance and biological function. Our findings, validated using public databases, clinical cohort data, and immunohistochemistry (IHC), identified KLF12 as a specific marker for LPLN. Additionally, KLF12 expression exhibited a strong correlation with disease-free survival (DFS). According to clinical data, significant differences in KLF12 expression exist between groups based on factors such as age, gender, tumor location, pathological N stage, and postoperative tumor residue. Both treatment outcomes (DFS) and receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were significantly associated with KLF12 expression. Furthermore, KLF12 demonstrated a strong association with immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoint expression, and immunophenoscore (IPS), indicating its potential regulatory role in immunotherapy. Functional molecular experiments revealed that KLF12 overexpression inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of SW620 cells. In conclusion, leveraging mRNA-Seq data, TCGA database analysis, immune infiltration data, and biological function assessments, we confirmed that KLF12 could serve as an effective predictive marker and potential therapeutic target for LPLN metastasis. These findings suggest that KLF12 may be instrumental in assessing predictive risk and identifying novel therapeutic targets for patients with rectal cancer.

Indexed as

Biomarkers, TumorKruppel-Like Transcription FactorsLymph NodesRectal NeoplasmsAgedCell Line, TumorFemaleGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticHumansLymphatic MetastasisMaleMiddle AgedPelvisPrognosisBiomarkers, TumorKLF12 protein, humanKruppel-Like Transcription FactorsKLF12Lateral pelvic lymph nodeMarkerRectal cancerTarget

Identifiers

PMID40358726
PMCPMC12075072

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Registered trials

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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.