Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein, COMP may be a Better Prognostic Marker Than CEACAM5 and Correlates With Colon Cancer Molecular Subtypes, Tumor Aggressiveness and Overall Survival

Background: New tumor biomarkers are needed to improve the management of Colon cancer (CC), the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Carcinoembry-onic Antigen (CEA), the translated protein of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhe-sion molecule 5 (CEACAM5) gene, is used as a biomarker for CC. Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP) is overexpressed in CC compared to normal colon tissues. This study aims to evaluate the expression of COMP by disease stage, consensus molecular subtype (CMS), its impact on disease outcomes, and comparison to CEACAM5. Materials and methods: RNA-seq data from 456 CC The Cancer Genome Atlas samples and 41 matching control samples were analyzed for COMP expression and CEACAM5 expres-sion. We stratified tumor samples by stage (I-IV), subtype (CMS1-CMS4), tumor location, and Kirsten RAt Sarcoma ( KRAS ) mutant status and three quartiles were established based on COMP expression. Kaplan Meier survival outcomes were evaluated. Results: COMP expression was significantly higher in tumor samples, with elevation of ex -pression occurring in stage I and significantly increasing in stage IV. Increased COMP expres-sion occurs in CMS4 with relatively low expression in CMS3. No significant expression dif-ference was attributed to tumor location and KRAS mutant status. Compared to CEACAM5, COMP was a stronger molecular marker across stages and subtypes. CMS4 was associated with the high COMP expression, and higher levels of COMP were associated with poorer overall survival, disease-specific survival, and tumor progression-free intervals. CMS2 and 3 were associated with low expression and better survival. Conclusion: COMP is a potential molecular biomarker for CC and may be superior to CEA as an indicator of CC. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Automated summary

COMP is a potential molecular biomarker for colon cancer, with significant expression differences across different disease stages and subtypes. COMP appears to be a stronger molecular marker compared to CEACAM5 across stages and subtypes. CMS4 is associated with high COMP expression, and higher COMP levels are correlated with poorer disease outcomes.