High COMP expression promotes tumor cell proliferation and migration of rectal cancer, contributing to unfavorable prognosis and suppressive immune microenvironment

Key Points

• To investigate how COMP expression influences tumor cell behavior in rectal cancer and its implications for prognosis.
• Analysis of COMP expression in public rectal cancer cohorts and cell lines.
• Use of si-COMP to inhibit COMP expression in cancer cells.
• Assessment of effects on cell viability, migration, and invasion.
• Higher COMP expression was associated with tumor proliferation and migration.
• Inhibiting COMP significantly reduced cell viability and invasive properties.
• Findings suggest a pathogenic role for COMP in rectal cancer progression.