TIMP1 expression in colorectal cancer: Linking prognosis, tumor immunity and molecular pathways

Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) is highly expressed in several cancer types, including lung, brain, prostate, breast and colon cancer, and is associated with a poor prognosis. However, further comprehensive research is required. The present study aimed to explore TIMP1 expression in colorectal cancer (CRC), its prognostic relationship and its connection to tumor immunity, using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and clinical samples. The present study evaluated the correlation between TIMP1 expression and CRC by integrating RNA sequencing data, and clinical information from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), UALCAN and GEPIA2 databases, as well as clinical samples. The findings demonstrated that TIMP1 is highly expressed in CRC tissues and is associated with a poor prognosis. Notably, high TIMP1 levels in CRC were positively correlated with the numbers of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells based on the immune scores, as well as with tumor mutation burden/microsatellite instability. In addition, TIMP1 may be involved in pathways such as those associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition, extracellular matrix-related processes, collagen formation, angiogenesis, apoptosis and ferroptosis. TIMP1 may also be involved in pathways associated with genes upregulated by reactive oxygen species, tumor inflammation and in the TGF-β signaling pathway. Overall, the results indicate that TIMP1 is associated with prognosis, tumor immunity and several pathways in CRC, potentially offering novel theoretical insights for the treatment of CRC.