Analysis The Expression And Prognosis Of Tim-3 In Non-small-cell Lung Cancer

Objective:T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain-containing molecules 3(Tim-3)plays a pivotal role in tumor immunoregulation,It participates in the occurrence and development of a variety of tumors,and Tim-3 is associated with tumor immune escape and poor prognosis.The aim of this study was to study the expression and the prognosis of negative costimulatory molecule,Tim-3,in non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC)patients.Methods:A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 126 NSCLC patients with surgical treatment and tissue specimens in good condition in Tanjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from 2008.3.20 to 2014.8.31 was performed.The expression of Tim-3 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry staining.Correlation analysis was performed between the expression of Tim-3 in NSCLC and clinicopathological features by Chi-square test or Nonparametric rank sum test.Kaplan-Meier,Log-Rank test and Cox’s hazard regression model were used to analyse prognostic significance of the expression of Tim-3 in patients with NSCLC.Results:Tim-3 is mainly expressed in the cytoplasm and cell membrane of TAMs.Tumor size,lymph node metastasis,TNM staging were significantly correlated with the expression of Tim-3 on TAMs(P=0.002,0.045 and 0.022,respectively).the expression of Tim-3 on TAMs was negatively correlated with the prognosis of patients,higher Tim-3 expression has a shorter overall survival(OS)in NSCLC patients with phase III(x~2=12.910,P=0.000;Median OS:80months vs 32 months).Moreover,the expression of Tim-3 on TAMs was significantly correlated with disease free survival(DFS)in NSCLC patients with phase III(x~2=6.135,P=0.013;Median DFS:41 months vs 24 months),higher Tim-3 expression has a shorter DFS.In addition,the expression of Tim-3 on tumor infiltrating lymphocytes(TILs)was negatively correlated with OS and DFS in NSCLC patients with phase III(x~2=4.737,P=0.030,Median OS: 80 months vs 47 months;x~2=5.882,P=0.015,Median DFS: 41 months vs 24 months).But,the expression of Tim-3 on tumor cells was not correlated with OS and DFS in NSCLC patients with phase III,there was no statistical difference(x~2=3.205,P=0.073;x~2=1.445,P=0.229).Conclusion:In patients with NSCLC,Tim-3 expressed on TAMs,TILs and tumor cells,its expression on TAMs was correlated with tumor size,lymph node metastasis and TNM staging;in addition,the expression of Tim-3 on TAMs and TILs were negatively correlated with OS and DFS in NSCLC patients with phase III.Moreover,the expression of Tim-3 on TAMs could be used as an independent prognostic factor for OS in patients with NSCLC.In conclusion,Tim-3 plays a negative role in tumor immunity,which can promote tumor immune escape and have a negative impact on the survival and prognosis of patients.