Published online Dec 15, 2023. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v15.i12.2212
Peer-review started: August 12, 2023
First decision: September 12, 2023
Revised: September 25, 2023
Accepted: October 16, 2023
Article in press: October 16, 2023
Published online: December 15, 2023
T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM3) is an immune checkpoint molecule. The prognostic value of TIM3 expression in upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract tumors has not been comprehensively analyzed.
The study clarifies the prognostic value of TIM3 in upper GI tumors and assesses whether TIM3 could be used as a research target to guide future clinical treatment.
The study investigates the immunohistochemical expression of TIM3 in upper GI tract tumors and assesses its clinical and prognostic value.
The PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched for subject terms, including “TIM3,” “gastric cancer,” and “esophageal cancer,” Data analyses were performed using STATA 15.2. The results were expressed as hazard ratio (HR) and odds ratio (OR), with the respective 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic.
High TIM3 expression was associated with a worse prognosis in upper GI tract cancers (HR: 1.17, 95%CI: 1.01-1.36). TIM3 overexpression was significantly correlated with the TNM stage (OR: 1.21, 95%CI: 0.63-2.33; P < 0.05). TIM3 expression showed no association with other clinicopathological parameters.
High expression of TIM3 in upper GI tract cancers is associated with a poorer prognosis and advanced T or N stage.
None of the studies included in the meta-analysis evaluated the prognostic value of TIM3 expression in esophagogastric junction cancer. In addition, the small sample size of the studies was a limitation and the effect of confounding factors on the results cannot be ruled out. However, the results revealed a significant association between high expression of TIM3 and poor survival outcomes in upper GI tract tumors. Our analysis suggests that TIM3, as an immune checkpoint receptor, may be a useful prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target worthy of further research.