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A new risk factor indicator for papillary thyroid cancer based on immune infiltration
Zhou Yang1, Xiyi Wei2, Yitong Pan3
1Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Vascular Lesions Regulation and Remodeling, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, 201399, Shanghai, China.
Cell Death & Disease
|January 8, 2021
Summary
Immune cell infiltration significantly impacts thyroid cancer outcomes. CD8+ T cells improve survival, while immune checkpoints and stromal cells correlate with progression, offering insights for immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Immune infiltration is linked to cancer outcomes, but its role in thyroid cancer requires further investigation.
- Understanding immune cell dynamics is crucial for developing effective thyroid cancer therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively analyze immune infiltration in thyroid cancer.
- To correlate immune cell infiltration with clinical characteristics and patient prognosis.
- To explore the impact of specific mutations on immune profiles.
Main Methods:
- Utilized TCGA and GEO databases for thyroid cancer data analysis.
- Employed CIBERSORT, ESTIMATE, and EPIC algorithms to quantify immune cells, stromal components, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and endothelial cells (ECs).
- Correlated immune infiltration patterns with clinical data and BRAF V600E mutation status.
Main Results:
- CD8+ T cell infiltration was associated with improved patient survival.
- Overexpression of immune checkpoints correlated with thyroid cancer development.
- Stromal cells generally indicated cancer progression, with CAFs and ECs exhibiting opposing roles.
- BRAF V600E mutation was linked to increased immune checkpoints/CAFs and decreased CD8+ T cells/ECs.
- An immune risk score model was developed for prognosis prediction.
Conclusions:
- This study provides a comprehensive overview of immune infiltration in thyroid cancer.
- Findings highlight the prognostic significance of CD8+ T cells and stromal components.
- The developed immune risk score may aid in predicting thyroid cancer prognosis and guiding immunotherapy strategies.
