An Integrated Cell-Death Program Defines Aggressive Prostate Cancer by Coupling Ezrin to the Hippo-YAP/TAZ…

Cohort studyAnnals of surgical oncology· Jul 2026

An Integrated Cell-Death Program Defines Aggressive Prostate Cancer by Coupling Ezrin to the Hippo-YAP/TAZ Axis.

Xing Luo, Zeyu Huang, Min Deng … Ji Zheng

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Prostate CancerCohort studyQ1IF 2.1

High AEN score is associated with a higher rate of biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer.

An Integrated Cell-Death Program Defines Aggressive Prostate Cancer by Coupling Ezrin to the Hippo-YAP/TAZ Axis.

Xing Luo … Ji Zheng

Annals of surgical oncology · Jul 2026

Background

Prostate cancer (prostate cancer) exhibits highly heterogeneous clinical outcomes, underscoring the need for biomarkers that more closely reflect tumor biology.

Methods

We constructed 14 programmed cell death prognostic models in a training cohort (GSE116918, n = 248), integrated the top three (apoptosis, entosis, necroptosis) into an AEN score, and validated in two independent cohorts in prostate cancer.

n = 248

HR = 8.02

Results

HR = 8.02

a high AEN score strongly predicts a higher risk of prostate cancer returning

n = 248

More results

High‑AEN tumors exhibited a non‑inflamed tumor microenvironment, predicted immunotherapy resistance, yet increased chemosensitivity.

EZR was nominated as a causal driver; knockdown of EZR suppressed proliferation, migration, and tumor growth via YAP/TAZ dysregulation.

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

The AEN score is a robust prognostic tool linking programmed cell death activity to prostate cancer aggressiveness and immune evasion.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

EZR emerges as a functional effector and potential therapeutic target acting through Hippo signaling in prostate cancer.

An Integrated Cell-Death Program Defines Aggressive Prostate Cancer by Coupling Ezrin to the Hippo-YAP/TAZ Axis.

An Integrated Cell-Death Program Defines Aggressive Prostate Cancer by Coupling Ezrin to the Hippo-YAP/TAZ Axis.

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