MetaboLights MTBLS1124 - GNPS Sex-Differences in Colon Cancer Metabolism Reveal A Novel Subphenotype

Women have a lower incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) than men, however, they have a higher prevalence of right-sided colon cancer (RCC). This is of concern as patients with RCC have the poorest clinical outcomes amongst CRC patients. Aberrant metabolism is a feature of CRC, but it is not known if sex-differences exist. Metabolomics of patient colon tissues (n=236) revealed widespread sex-differences in metabolism depending on tumor location and stage. Tumors from women with RCC were nutrient-deplete, showing enhanced energy production towards asparagine synthesis, and an increase in amino acid uptake. Gene expression data revealed an association between high asparagine synthase expression and poorer overall survival in women with CRC. This is the first study to show sex-differences in tumor tissue metabolism for CRC patients revealing a nutrient-deplete subtype in women with RCC. The results therefore have implications for tumor progression and therapeutic response in women with RCC.

Linked Studies:
UPLC-MS HILIC POS assay is reported in MTBLS1122
UPLC-MS HILIC NEG assay is reported in MTBLS1124
UPLC-MS RP POS assay is reported in MTBLS1129
UPLC-MS RP NEG assay is reported in MTBLS1130