Iranian Journal of Immunology

CX3CR1 Functions as a Biomarker Associated with Pathological Tumor Staging in ‎the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Prostate Cancer

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Shiquan Xu 1
Qing Liu 1
Jie Wang 1
Zeyun Zhang 1
Ying Wang 1
Li Li 1
Tao Zhang 2
Yu Fan 1

1 Department of Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.

2 Department of Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, ‎Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.‎

https://doi.org/10.22034/iji.2025.104018.2876
Abstract
Background: Previous research has identified several potential biomarkers associated with pathological tumor (pT) staging in prostate cancer (PCa) patients. Among these biomarkers, CX3CR1 is notable for its connection to the immune microenvironment.
Objective: To further investigate the significance of CX3CR1 as a key biomarker for predicting pT staging and PCa progression.
Methods: Prostate cancer tissue samples were analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemical staining. The diagnostic performance of CX3CR1 was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, while Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was conducted to determine overall survival (OS) rates.
Results: A significant decrease in CX3CR1 expression was observed in PCa tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues, with the lowest levels detected in pT3 tumors. CX3CR1 expression showed a negative correlation with preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, lymph node staging (N stage), Gleason score, and overall survival (OS). Additionally, CX3CR1 levels were associated with the polarization of infiltrating CD4+ T cells in PCa patients.
Conclusion: CX3CR1, as a biomarker associated with pT staging, plays a role in predicting PCa prognosis, potentially by modulating the immune microenvironment.

Keywords

Immune cell infiltrates
Pathological tumor staging
Prognosis
Prostate cancer
‎T-cell polarization
Iranian Journal of Immunology
Volume 22, Issue 1
Winter 2025
Pages 25-33

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