GALNT14 drives gastric cancer aggressiveness via enzyme-dependent activation of a TGF-β-EMT-β-catenin axis in the post-Helicobacter pylori eradication era
摘要
Despite extensive effort to eradicate Helicobacter pylori (HP), gastric cancer (GC) remains a major global health burden. As HP-related carcinogenesis declines, host genetic factors are increasingly important for risk prediction and management in the post-HP eradication era. The GALNT14-rs9679162 polymorphism, previously linked to gastrointestinal malignancies, may influence GC susceptibility and outcomes, but its pathogenic role remains unclear.
MethodsA total of 472 subjects undergoing routine gastroscopy were analyzed, including 275 GC patients and 197 controls. Clinicopathological features, HP infection, and GALNT14-rs9679162 genotypes were assessed. Associations with GC risk and survival were evaluated by logistic and Cox regression. GALNT14 function was examined in tissues and immortalized gastric epithelial cells expressing wild-type or mutant GALNT14.
ResultsThis study was conducted in Taiwan, where anti-HP treatment was covered by national health insurance. As a result, GC patients were associated with lower concurrent HP infection (30.2% vs. 66.5%) (P < 0.001). The percentage of GALNT14-rs9679162 “GG” genotype was higher in GC (28.7% vs. 19.8%, P = 0.036) and independently associated with an increased risk (adjusted OR = 1.86, P = 0.040). Among GC patients, the “GG” genotype predicted higher recurrence (35.4% vs. 10.7%) and metastasis (44.3% vs. 24.5%) (both P < 0.01). Additionally, it was associated with poorer overall, recurrence-free, and metastasis-free survival (HR = 2.36–4.16, all P < 0.001). The “GG” genotype was associated with higher tissue expression of GALNT14 and its ectopic expression in immortalized gastric epithelial cells enhanced proliferative, migratory, anchorage-independent, and tumorigenic phenotypes via TGF-β/β-catenin–driven epithelial–mesenchymal transition.
ConclusionGALNT14-rs9679162 “GG” serves as a prognostic marker and host genetic factor associated with aggressive gastric cancer in the post-HP eradication era, revealing a potential link between germline variation, GALNT14 upregulation, and aggressive gastric epithelial behavior.