Translation element EIF4A1 is a potential divergent immune biomarker between colon cancer and rectal cancer

Abstract Colorectal cancer is among the most common malignant tumors globally, and the distinct treatment requirements for colon and rectal cancers underscore the necessity to identify specific molecules for each type. Although EIF4A1 plays a crucial role in translational initiation, its therapeutic potential remains unclear. This study utilized the TCGA database to reveal that EIF4A1 expression is upregulated in both cancer types and is associated with poorer survival outcomes. KEGG and GO analyses indicate that EIF4A1 is primarily associated with the extracellular trap network of neutrophils in colon cancer. Additionally, a strong positive correlation with neutrophil infiltration is observed in both cancers. Notably, EIF4A1 exhibits varying immune infiltration patterns, showing a strong correlation with CD8+ T cells in colon cancer and a negative correlation with CD4+ T cells in rectal cancer. In colon cancer, EIF4A1 shows a strong positive correlation with PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA4, and LAG-3, contrasted by a weaker correlation in rectal cancer. Elevated EIF4A1 expression is potentially linked to immune checkpoints that facilitate immune escape, thereby possibly accelerating cancer progression. This implies varying immunotherapy strategies for colon and rectal cancers.