A Nine-gene Signature for Predicting the Response to Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy in Patients with Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

A total of 156 LARC patients (training cohort n = 60; validation cohort n = 96) were included in the study who underwent surgical resection post PCRT. By using univariate and multivariate logistic regression, we identified a 9-gene signature that differentiated between responders and non-responders. ; The novel 9-gene signature is robust in predicting response to PCRT in LARC patients. Tailored treatment approaches in good and poor responders to PCRT may improve the oncologic outcomes of patients with LARC. The study included 156 randomly selected rectal cancer patients (n = 156) divided into a training cohort (n = 60) and a validation cohort (n = 96). Surgical resection was performed 6–8 weeks after completion of PCRT and included local excision and radical resection performed according to the principles of total mesorectal excision. Gene expression analysis was performed using the nCounter PanCancer Pathway Panel (NanoString Technologies, Seattle, WA). The panel analyzed 770 genes including 40 control genes.