Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported to be associated with the malignant phenotypes of cancer. However, the role and underlying mechanism of hsa_Circ_0008035 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. In this study, we elucidated the pivotal role of hsa_circ_0008035 in gastric cancer progression and immune evasion. Elevated hsa_circ_0008035 levels in gastric cancer patient serum correlated positively with disease advancement, including tumor stages and lymph node metastasis. Functional analyses revealed a negative association between hsa_circ_0008035 and CD8+ T cell number and function. Mechanistically, hsa_circ_0008035 encoded the novel protein EXT1-219aa, suppressing EXT1 phosphorylation and expression. Additionally, hsa_circ_0008035 regulated pyruvate metabolism by influencing the nucleus localization of PKM2. The identified EXT1/PKM2 axis further underscored the intricate regulatory mechanisms orchestrated by hsa_circ_0008035 in gastric cancer, offering potential diagnostic and therapeutic implications in the ongoing pursuit of targeted therapies for gastric cancer patients.