Publication

CARD11 Overexpression Shapes the Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Colorectal Cancer

September 1, 2025

🧠 Introduction

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. A new study has uncovered how the molecule CARD11—a regulator of the NF-κB signaling pathway—contributes to CRC progression by altering the tumor immune microenvironment and activating cancer-associated pathways.

🔍 Research Summary

The study investigated the effects of CARD11 overexpression in colorectal cancer using transcriptomic profiling of both CRC cell lines (HCT-116 and HT-29) and patient samples.

Key findings include:

  • CARD11 promoted cell growth and tissue remodeling while boosting immune response in CRC cells.
  • EP300, HIF1A, KDM5A, and CXCL1 emerged as important mediators of these processes.
  • CARD11 influenced pathways related to chemotaxis and extracellular matrix organization, driving more invasive tumor behavior.
  • Adenoma patients with high CARD11 showed increased expression of immune microenvironment genes (e.g., IL6ST, collagen family), while carcinoma patients displayed strong activation of cancer progression genes, including MAPK8IP2 and EMB.

These results suggest CARD11 acts as a molecular driver linking inflammation, immunity, and cancer development in CRC.

🌍 Broader Impact

By revealing how CARD11 shapes both tumor biology and the immune microenvironment, this research advances our understanding of colorectal cancer progression. The findings may help identify new therapeutic targets within the NF-κB pathway and guide the development of more precision-based cancer treatments.

📎 Reference 

@article{Alhosani2024,
  title = {Transcriptome Profiling Associated with CARD11 Overexpression in Colorectal Cancer Implicates a Potential Role for Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Cancer Pathways Modulation via NF-κB},
  volume = {25},
  ISSN = {1422-0067},
  url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms251910367},
  DOI = {10.3390/ijms251910367},
  number = {19},
  journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  publisher = {MDPI AG},
  author = {Alhosani,  Faisal and Ilce,  Burcu Yener and Alhamidi,  Reem Sami and Bhamidimarri,  Poorna Manasa and Hamad,  Alaa Mohamed and Alkhayyal,  Noura and K\"{u}nstner,  Axel and Khandanpour,  Cyrus and Busch,  Hauke and Al-Ramadi,  Basel and Sayed,  Kadria and AlFazari,  Ali and Bendardaf,  Riyad and Hamoudi,  Rifat},
  year = {2024},
  month = sep,
  pages = {10367}
}

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