Long non-coding RNA C20orf56 as a predictor of response to neoadjuvant CCRT and survival rates of rectal cancers.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer is the third most prevalent malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) improves survival and increases curative surgery rates in rectal cancer. C20orf56, a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), plays diverse roles in cancer, but its association with neoadjuvant CCRT response and prognosis in rectal cancer remains unexplored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: hybridization. Associations between C20orf56 expression and clinicopathological parameters were evaluated with the χ² test. Survival outcomes were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank tests, while multivariate analysis was conducted using a Cox proportional hazards model. Additionally, an independent cohort of responders and non-responders (n=8 per group) was used to validate C20orf56 transcript levels by real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: =0.007). CONCLUSION: C20orf56 may play a significant role in rectal cancer progression and response to neoadjuvant CCRT, serving as a novel prognostic factor.