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Updated: May 8, 2026
Multiplexed Immunofluorescence Analysis and Quantification of Intratumoral PD-1+ Tim-3+ CD8+ T Cells
Published on: February 8, 2018
IRF4: A potential prognostic biomarker for immunotherapy in NSCLC
Qian Zhao1, Butuo Li2, Yiyue Xu2
1Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430064, China; Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China; Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China.
High Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) expression predicts better outcomes for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving immunotherapy. This finding supports IRF4 as a biomarker for personalized NSCLC treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Immunotherapy has transformed advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment, but sustained responses are limited.
- Identifying reliable biomarkers is crucial for predicting patient response to immunotherapy.
- Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) is implicated in immune regulation and may serve as a prognostic biomarker in NSCLC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive value of Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) expression in patients with NSCLC undergoing immunotherapy.
- To assess the association between IRF4 expression and immunotherapy outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of three NSCLC cohorts treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database.
- Prognostic significance assessment of IRF4, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and development of IRF4-based nomograms.
- Evaluation of IRF4 expression, immune cell infiltration (CD8+ T cells, CD20+ B cells), and PD-L1 expression in the tumor microenvironment.
Main Results:
- Elevated IRF4 expression correlated with improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in NSCLC patients receiving immunotherapy.
- IRF4 was identified as an independent predictor of immunotherapy outcomes in multivariable Cox regression analysis.
- GSEA revealed links between IRF4 and immune activation pathways; immunohistochemistry confirmed correlations with immune cell infiltration and PD-L1 expression.
Conclusions:
- High baseline IRF4 expression is a favorable predictor of immunotherapy outcomes in NSCLC.
- IRF4 can aid in developing personalized treatment strategies for NSCLC patients.
- IRF4 serves as a potential prognostic biomarker for NSCLC immunotherapy response.
