Relationship between TIM-3 expression and clinicopathological parameters in colorectal carcinomas

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a biologically heterogeneous malignancy, complicating prognostic assessments and therapeutic responses. T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3) is an immune checkpoint receptor implicated in immune regulation; however, its prognostic significance in CRC remains unclear. A retrospective analysis was performed on 173 colorectal adenocarcinoma cases. TIM-3 expression in tumor-infiltrating immune cells (ICs) was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Associations between TIM-3 expression and clinicopathological parameters such as patient age and sex, tumor site and size, grade, invasion status, mismatch repair (MMR) protein status, and HER2 expression were examined. The impact on overall survival was assessed. High TIM-3 expression was significantly more frequent in females, rectal tumors, high-grade adenocarcinomas, and tumors invading the muscularis propria. In contrast, lower TIM-3 expression correlated with lymphovascular, venous, and perineural invasion. Elevated TIM-3 expression was associated with microsatellite stability (MSS) and HER2 positivity. High TIM-3 expression predicted reduced overall survival. TIM-3 expression in tumor-infiltrating immune cells may serve as a prognostic biomarker in colorectal carcinoma. Its association with distinct pathological features and survival outcomes highlights its potential role in immune modulation and as a therapeutic target in selected CRC patients.

Keywords

• Colorectal Neoplasms
• TIM-3
• Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes
• Immune Checkpoints
• Microsatellite Instability

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