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Updated: Feb 9, 2026

Multiplexed Immunofluorescence Analysis and Quantification of Intratumoral PD-1+ Tim-3+ CD8+ T Cells
Published on: February 8, 2018
Characterization of TIM-3 expression and its prognostic value in patients with surgically resected lung
Hang Su1, Huikang Xie2, Chenyang Dai1
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Objectives:
T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3) is a promising checkpoint. However, its features and prognostic value in lung adenocarcinoma remain undetermined. In this study, we aimed to characterize TIM-3 expression and its prognostic significance in patients with surgically resected lung adenocarcinoma.
Materials And Methods:
Expression of TIM-3 and programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), and density of CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in resected lung adenocarcinoma. The association between clinicopathological features or clinical outcomes and TIM-3 expression was analyzed.
Results:
A total of 223 patients were enrolled. TIM-3 expression was observed in 107 (48.0%) samples. Positive TIM-3 expression significantly correlated with positive PD-1 expression (p < 0.001) and high CD8+ TILs density (p = 0.014). TIM-3 positivity was significantly associated with worse recurrence-free survival (RFS) (hazard ratio [HR], 2.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44-3.73, p = 0.001) and overall survival (OS) (HR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.29-3.20, p = 0.002). Subgroup analysis revealed that TIM-3+/PD-1+/CD8 low group had the worst RFS (5-year rate: 39.5%, p = 0.002) and OS (5-year rate: 50.0%, p = 0.035), while TIM-3-/PD-1-/CD8 high group had the best RFS (5-year rate: 93.8%, p = 0.002) and OS (5-year rate: 100%, p = 0.035).
Conclusion:
TIM-3 had a relatively high positive expression rate and special clinicopathological features in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. A combination of TIM-3 and/or PD-1 expression or CD8+ TILs density could further stratify patients into different groups with distinct prognosis.
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