Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40474298›Full record

ArticleJournal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR2025

Tumor suppressor SLC9A2 inhibits colorectal cancer metastasis and reverses immunotherapy resistance by suppressing angiogenesis.

Zizhen Zhang, Shengde Liu, Ting Xu, Nan Chen, Cheng Liu, Hong Yang, Yuanmeng Shi, Zhiwei Li, Xujiao Feng, Yanhong Yao and 6 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Gut microbes · 2026
    Article
  2. 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

16 authors.

Zizhen Zhang *Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, 100142, China.
Shengde Liu *Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, 100142, China.
Ting Xu *Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, 100142, China.
Nan Chen *Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Unit III, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, 100142, China.
Cheng LiuKey laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, 100142, China.
Hong YangKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Unit IV, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, 100142, China.
Yuanmeng ShiDepartment of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Inner Mongolia Cancer Center, Peking University Cancer Hospital (Lnner Mongolia Campus)/Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, 010020, China.
Zhiwei LiKey laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, 100142, China.
Xujiao FengKey laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, 100142, China.
Yanhong YaoKey laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, 100142, China.
Xiaorui DuanKey laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, 100142, China.
Gehan XuKey laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, 100142, China.
Cheng ZhangKey laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, 100142, China.
Zhenghang WangKey laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, 100142, China. zhenghang_wang@bjmu.edu.cn.
Jian LiKey laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, 100142, China. oncogene@163.com.
Lin ShenKey laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, 100142, China. shenlin@bjmu.edu.cn.

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China No. 82373252National Natural Science Foundation of China No. 82403443Scientific Research Fund for the Demonstration Project of Public Hospital Reform and Quality Development (Gastrointestinal Tumour) that is approved by Peking University Cancer Hospital (Inner Mongolia Campus) No. 2023SGGZ071the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation No. 2024T170034the Science Foundation of Peking University Cancer Hospital No. BJCH2024GG03
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) is a common and aggressive malignancy that frequently metastasizes to the liver, presenting significant therapeutic challenges. Despite its clinical importance, the mechanisms underlying CRC liver metastasis and resistance to immune therapy remain poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms driving CRC metastasis using a novel approach, which includes the establishment of highly metastatic CRC cell lines.

methodsTo explore the role of specific genes in CRC liver metastasis, we developed two highly metastatic CRC cell lines (LoVo-Hm and HCT116-Hm) by applying sustained selective pressure to primary CRC cells. RNA sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes in these metastatic cells. Additionally, we conducted assays for cell migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and ELISA to evaluate VEGFA production, all to confirm the functional role of SLC9A2. Our findings were further validated in human CRC tissue samples and publicly available datasets to assess the clinical relevance of the identified targets.

resultsOur analysis revealed a significant downregulation of SLC9A2 in the highly metastatic CRC cell lines. Mechanistically, we found that SLC9A2 inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis by suppressing the STAT3 signaling pathway. Moreover, SLC9A2 reduces VEGFA secretion, normalizing tumor vasculature and reshaping the tumor microenvironment (TME), which ultimately enhances anti-tumor immunity. Comparative analysis of CRC tissue samples showed reduced SLC9A2 expression in tumor tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues, with a negative correlation to TNM staging. Importantly, higher SLC9A2 expression was associated with better treatment responses in immunotherapy cohorts.

conclusionThese findings highlight the critical role of SLC9A2 in regulating metastasis, angiogenesis, and TME remodeling in CRC. By modulating the STAT3 pathway and tumor vasculature, SLC9A2 emerges as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target. Targeting SLC9A2 may enhance immune responses and improve treatment outcomes in CRC, offering a promising avenue for future therapeutic strategies.

Indexed as

Colorectal NeoplasmsLiver NeoplasmsNeovascularization, PathologicAngiogenesisAnimalsCell Line, TumorCell MovementDrug Resistance, NeoplasmEpithelial-Mesenchymal TransitionFemaleGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticHumansImmunotherapyMiceNeoplasm MetastasisSignal TransductionSTAT3 protein, humanSTAT3 Transcription FactorAngiogenesisColorectal CancerLiver metastasis, immunotherapySLC9A2

Identifiers

PMID40474298
PMCPMC12139321

What Socratic 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 Socratic graph.