Identification and validation of cuproptosis and disulfidptosis related genes in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer, the third most prevalent malignant cancer, is associated with poor prognosis. Recent studies have investigated the mechanisms underlying cuproptosis and disulfidptosis in colorectal cancer. However, whether genes linked to these processes impact the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients through analogous mechanisms remains unclear. In this study, we developed a model of cuproptosis and disulfidptosis in colorectal cancer and concurrently explored the role of the pivotal model gene HSPA8 in colorectal cancer cell lines. Our results revealed a positive correlation between cuproptosis and disulfidptosis, both of which are emerging as protective factors for the prognosis of CRC patients. Consequently, a prognostic model encompassing HSPA8, PDCL3, CBX3, ATP6V1G1, TAF1D, RPL4, and RPL14 was constructed. Notably, the key gene in our model, HSPA8, exhibited heightened expression and was validated as a protective prognostic factor in colorectal cancer, exerting inhibitory effects on colorectal cancer cell proliferation. This study offers novel insights into the interplay between cuproptosis and disulfidptosis. The application of the prognostic model holds promise for more effectively predicting the overall survival of colorectal cancer patients.