| Home > Publications database > Pooled single-cell screen in colorectal cancer defines transcriptional modules linked to oncogenes. |
| Journal Article | DKFZ-2026-00147 |
; ; ; ; ;
2026
Nature Publishing Group UK
[London]
Abstract: Oncogenic mutations shape colorectal cancer (CRC) biology, yet their impact on transcriptional phenotypes remains incompletely understood, and their individual prognostic value is limited. Here, we perform a pooled single-cell transcriptomic screen of over 100,000 CRC cells with a comprehensive barcoded library of oncogenic variants across genetically diverse CRC lines. Using a variational autoencoder-based interpretable factor model, we identify ten conserved oncogene-driven transcriptional modules (TMOs) representing core cancer phenotypes such as cellular plasticity, inflammatory response, replicative stress, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Engagement of these modules can be context-dependent, reflecting interactions between oncogene-induced driver pathways and background genetics. TMO activity in patient tumors stratifies CRC cohorts into high- and low-risk groups, improving relapse-free survival prediction beyond existing classification systems. Our study systematically links oncogenic signaling to transcriptional states and clinical outcomes, establishing a functional framework for module-based patient stratification in precision oncology.
Keyword(s): Colorectal Cancer ; Oncogenes ; Signatures ; Single Cell Screening ; Transcriptional Modules
|
The record appears in these collections: |