Role of CMTM6 in disease pathogenesis and clinical translation potential (Review)

The chemokine‑like factor (CKLF)‑like MARVEL transmembrane domain‑containing (CMTM) family belongs to the human CKLF gene superfamily, which comprises CKLF and CMTM1‑8. Among its members, CMTM6 encodes a protein exhibiting structural and functional characteristics that lie between classical chemokines and tetraspanins. CMTM6 is expressed in several normal tissues, including those of the immune, reproductive and nervous systems. Notably, its expression is frequently upregulated across a broad spectrum of tumors including, but not limited to, carcinomas of the lung, liver and gastrointestinal tract. CMTM6 contributes to tumor proliferation, invasion and metastasis by inhibiting immune responses, facilitating immune evasion and inducing epithelial‑mesenchymal transition, thereby influencing patient prognosis and survival outcomes. The present review systematically summarizes the molecular functions, mechanisms of action, disease‑related expression patterns and clinical translational applications of CMTM6, aiming to provide novel clinical insights and to guide the development of CMTM6‑targeted therapeutic strategies.