Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41647998›Full record

ArticleESMO gastrointestinal oncology2025

Poor-prognosis young-onset colorectal cancer is defined by the mesenchymal subtype and can be predicted by integrating molecular and histopathological characteristics.

J Ke, Y Li, L Qi, X Li, W Wang, S Ten Hoorn, Y Zhu, H Huang, F Gao, L Vermeulen and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in ESMO gastrointestinal oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

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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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
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

11 authors.

J KeDepartment of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Y LiCollege of Computer Science and Technology, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, China.
L QiDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR.
X LiDepartment of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong SAR.
W WangDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR.
S Ten HoornLaboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology (LEXOR), Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine (CEMM), Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Y ZhuDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR.
H HuangDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR.
F GaoDepartment of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
L VermeulenLaboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology (LEXOR), Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine (CEMM), Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
X WangDepartment of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong SAR.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Young-onset colorectal cancer (CRC), affecting individuals <50 years of age, presents a significant health threat worldwide. The molecular and clinical characteristics of young-onset CRC are poorly understood, complicating the development of effective biomarkers for precision oncology. This study aimed to dissect age-dependent molecular heterogeneity of CRC and establish a model for identifying high-risk young-onset patients. Methods: We analyzed clinical data for 564 439 patient samples across three large cohorts. For molecular characterizations, a subset of 1874 patient samples was used. A deep learning framework was used to analyze hematoxylin-eosin-stained whole-slide images to quantify Shannon diversity indices (SDIs). Subsequently, a multivariate model, integrating SDI, microsatellite status and promoter methylation of miR-200s, was developed for predicting the consensus molecular subtype (CMS)4-mesenchymal subtype, followed by internal and external clinical validations. Results: Young-onset CRC patients exhibited better overall survival but worse relapse-free survival and higher metastasis rates compared with late-onset cases. Molecular subtyping analysis found that young-onset CRC also comprises the same four subtypes (CMS1-4), but the prevalence differs from late-onset CRC. Stratified analysis suggested that the poor outcomes in young-onset CRC were due to higher prevalence of the CMS4-mesenchymal subtype. To predict CMS4, we established an effective risk-scoring model (area under the curve = 0.87) combining molecular and histological markers, with multiple independent validations. Conclusions: CRC shows age-dependent molecular heterogeneity, with young-onset cases more frequently presenting the CMS4 subtype. To predict CMS4, we developed and validated a robust risk-scoring model integrating molecular and histological markers, offering a new translatable tool for more optimized management of young-onset patients.

Indexed as

colorectal cancerconsensus molecular subtypessubtype-specific biomarkertumor heterogeneityyoung-onset patients

Identifiers

PMID41647998
PMCPMC12836577

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