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Published on: June 12, 2021
CMTM3 as a Potential New Immune Checkpoint Regulator
Qian Shen1, Zhirong Cong1, Ying Zhou1
1Department of Hematologic Lymphoma, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China.
Objectives:
To evaluate the role of CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain containing 3 (CMTM3) in tumor microenvironment and cancer immunotherapy and explore its potential mechanism.
Method:
The cancer genome map was obtained from the UCSC Xena database. RNAseq data from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases were utilized for evaluating the expression and prognostic value of CMTM3 through survival data of clinical trials. The enrichment analysis of CMTM3 was performed using the R package "clusterProfiler." The scores of immune cell infiltration in TCGA samples were downloaded from the ImmuCellAI database and TIMER2 database, and the relationship between both immune cell invasion and CMTM3 expression was investigated. Immunological activation and suppression genes, immune checkpoints, chemokines, and their receptors were all investigated in relation to CMTM3.
Results:
Most tumor types had varied levels of CMTM3 expression and predicted poor survival status. The CMTM3 expression is closely associated with cancer-associated fibroblasts, macrophages, myeloid dendritic cells, endothelial cells, immune activation genes, immune suppressor genes, immune checkpoints, chemokines, and related receptors.
Conclusion:
Our data reveal that CMTM3 might be used as a cancer biomarker. CMTM3 may work in conjunction with other immunological checkpoints to alter the immune milieu, which could lead to the establishment of new immunotherapy medicines.
Insights
CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain containing 3 (CMTM3) is linked to poor cancer survival and influences the tumor microenvironment. This suggests CMTM3 could be a biomarker and therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Genomics
Background:
- The tumor microenvironment significantly impacts cancer progression and treatment response.
- Understanding novel molecular players in cancer immunity is crucial for developing effective therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain containing 3 (CMTM3) in the tumor microenvironment.
- To explore CMTM3's potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target in cancer immunotherapy.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying CMTM3's influence on anti-cancer immunity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized RNAseq data from GTEx and TCGA databases for CMTM3 expression and prognostic analysis.
- Performed enrichment analysis using the R package "clusterProfiler."
- Assessed immune cell infiltration using ImmuCellAI and TIMER2 databases, correlating with CMTM3 expression and immune-related genes.
Main Results:
- CMTM3 expression varied across tumor types and was associated with poor survival outcomes.
- CMTM3 expression correlated with key tumor microenvironment components, including cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune cells.
- Significant associations were found between CMTM3 and immune activation/suppression genes, immune checkpoints, and chemokine pathways.
Conclusions:
- CMTM3 shows potential as a predictive biomarker for cancer prognosis.
- CMTM3 may modulate the immune microenvironment, offering a target for novel cancer immunotherapy strategies.
- Further research into CMTM3's interaction with immune checkpoints could lead to new therapeutic developments.
