Upregulation of IL-12 Signaling Genes Mediated by STAT4 Predicts a Complete Clinical Response in Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus who Undergo Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy

Nattida  Sapsamarn; Asada  Methasate; Pariyada  Tanjak; Thanawat  Suwatthanarak; Onchira Acharayothin; Kullanist  Thanormjit; Jirawat  Swangsri; Thammawat Parakonthun; Tetsuya  Taga; Vitoon  Chinswangwatanakul

doi:10.33192/smj.v77i7.272789

Authors

Nattida Sapsamarn Graduate School of Institute of Science Tokyo, Joint Degree Doctoral Program in Medical Sciences between Institute of Science Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Asada Methasate Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Pariyada Tanjak Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Siriraj Cancer Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Thanawat Suwatthanarak Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Siriraj Cancer Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Onchira Acharayothin Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Kullanist Thanormjit Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Siriraj Cancer Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Jirawat Swangsri Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Thammawat Parakonthun Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Tetsuya Taga Department of Stem Cell Regulation, Medical Research Institute, Institute of Science of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Vitoon Chinswangwatanakul Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Siriraj Cancer Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33192/smj.v77i7.272789

Keywords:

Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, Chemoradiotherapy, Interleukin 12

Abstract

Objective: This study compared immune transcriptome profiles between SCC patients achieving cCR and those with incomplete responses to CRT using the NanoString Ncounter^® Pancancer Immune Profiling Panel.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort of 36 SCC patients treated with CRT was analyzed. Clinical data and blood samples were collected, and immune transcriptome profiling was conducted. Differential gene expression analysis identified distinctions between cCR and non-clinical complete response (non-cCR) groups.

Results: Of the 36 patients, 20 achieved cCR, while 16 had nonc-CR. Significant differences in immune transcriptomes were observed, particularly in IL-12 signaling mediated by STAT4. In the cCR group, 72 genes were upregulated, and 13 were downregulated, suggesting their role as predictive biomarkers for treatment response.

Conclusions: This study identified distinct immune transcriptome profiles in SCC patients with cCR versus non-cCR, highlighting genes related to IL-12 signaling as potential biomarkers. These findings emphasize the role of immune-related gene expression in determining patient outcomes and may support personalized therapeutic strategies to enhance CRT efficacy in SCC patients.

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