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Updated: Jan 14, 2026

Establishment of a Co-culture System of Patient-Derived Colorectal Tumor Organoids and Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs)
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Establishment of a Co-culture System of Patient-Derived Colorectal Tumor Organoids and Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs)

Published on: June 27, 2025

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RTP4 Suppresses Colorectal Cancer Progression via MHC-I-Mediated CD8+ T Cell Infiltration and Enhances Immunotherapy

Chengpeng Yu1, Yifan Li2, Zhenzhe Liu1,3

  • 1Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.

Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
|October 23, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Retinaldehyde-binding protein 4 (RTP4) is downregulated in colorectal cancer (CRC), worsening prognosis. Upregulating RTP4 enhances anti-tumor immunity and improves immunotherapy response, making it a promising therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The role of Retinaldehyde-binding protein 4 (RTP4) in colorectal cancer (CRC) is not well understood.
  • RTP4 is primarily known for regulating odorant receptor trafficking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical significance and functional mechanisms of RTP4 in colorectal cancer.
  • To evaluate RTP4 as a prognostic biomarker and a potential target for enhancing cancer immunotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of RTP4 expression in CRC tissues and correlation with patient prognosis.
  • Investigation of RTP4's association with immune-related genes and immune cell infiltration.
  • Mechanistic studies in cellular and animal models to assess RTP4's effect on MHC-I expression and anti-tumor immunity.
  • Evaluation of RTP4's impact on the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy.

Main Results:

  • RTP4 expression is significantly downregulated in CRC tissues, associated with poor patient prognosis.
  • RTP4 expression correlates with immune-related genes, biological processes, and anti-tumor immune cell infiltration.
  • RTP4 upregulates MHC-I expression, enhancing CD8+ T cell recruitment and anti-tumor immunity.
  • Overexpression of RTP4 improves the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy.

Conclusions:

  • RTP4 serves as a prognostic biomarker in colorectal cancer.
  • RTP4 enhances anti-tumor immunity by upregulating MHC-I and promoting T cell infiltration.
  • RTP4 is a potential therapeutic target to improve immunotherapy responsiveness in CRC.
Keywords:
RTP4biomarkercolorectal carcinomaimmunotherapytumour microenvironment

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