Work

Construction of a GCSCs-Related Prognostic Risk Model Based on Transcriptomic Data

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Gastric Cancer Stem Cells (GCSCs) contribute to tumor progression and treatment resistance, but their heterogeneity and tumor microenvironment interactions remain unclear. We analyzed GSE163558 single-cell RNA-sequencing data from 10 gastric cancer samples and integrated GCSC-related genes with The Cancer Genome Atlas Stomach Adenocarcinoma (TCGA-STAD) training cohort (n = 448) and two independent external validation cohorts, GSE62254 (n = 300) and GSE84437 (n = 483), to construct and validate a six-gene prognostic risk model. Cell–cell communication, metabolic activity, immune infiltration, immunotherapy response, and drug sensitivity were evaluated. Nine cell populations, including a putative GCSC population, were identified. GCSCs showed higher inferred oxidative phosphorylation activity and extensive predicted interactions with tumor-associated cells. The model stratified patients into distinct prognostic groups. High-risk tumors exhibited enrichment of progression-related pathways, including epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and distinct immune features. In PRJEB25780 (n = 78), higher risk scores were associated with immunotherapy non-response, whereas an exploratory analysis of GSE91061 (n = 49) showed a similar trend. The model may support prognostic stratification and provide insights into potential associations with therapeutic response, pending prospective validation.

Source: International Journal of Molecular Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/ijms27219669