A Multicenter Observational Study to Develop and Validate an Alternative Splicing-Based Machine Learning Model for Predicting Response to 5-FU-Based Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Gastric Cancer (VERSA-GC Study)

Summary

This study aims to develop a model to predict response to chemotherapy in gastric cancer using RNA splicing information from tumor tissue. By analyzing genetic patterns and applying machine learning, the study seeks to identify patients who are less likely to benefit from treatment, helping guide clinical decision-making.

Detailed description

This multicenter observational study aims to develop and validate an alternative splicing (AS)-based model to predict response to 5-FU-based adjuvant chemotherapy in stage II/III gastric cancer. AS events were identified using TCGA SpliceSeq and UCSC Xena data, and selected candidates were quantified by RT-qPCR. A predictive model was constructed using Elastic Net-based feature selection and XGBoost, and evaluated in independent training and validation cohorts. An integrated model incorporating clinicopathological factors was also developed. The primary endpoint is treatment response defined by 3-year recurrence-free survival. Patients with recurrence within 3 years are classified as non-responders, and those without recurrence as responders. This study aims to establish a clinically applicable biomarker for risk stratification and treatment decision support.

Arms & interventions

• OtherObservational study (no intervention)

  This is an observational study without assigned interventions. All patients received standard-of-care 5-FU-based adjuvant chemotherapy, and no experimental intervention was performed.

Outcome measures

Eligibility criteria