Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40156159›Full record

ArticleClinical and translational medicine2025

PCIF1 drives oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression via m6Am-mediated suppression of MTF2 translation.

Kang Li, Yuxuan Yi, Rongsong Ling, Caihua Zhang, Zhihui Zhang, Yue Wang, Ganping Wang, Jie Chen, Maosheng Cheng, Shuang Chen

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical and translational medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Kang LiOtorhinolaryngology Hospital, Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.ORCID 0000-0002-4812-530X
Yuxuan YiOtorhinolaryngology Hospital, Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Rongsong LingOtorhinolaryngology Hospital, Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Caihua ZhangOtorhinolaryngology Hospital, Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Zhihui ZhangDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Yue WangHospital of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Ganping WangDepartment of Urology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.ORCID 0000-0003-3308-686X
Jie ChenHospital of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Maosheng ChengOtorhinolaryngology Hospital, Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Shuang ChenOtorhinolaryngology Hospital, Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.

Funding

China Postdoctoral Science Foundation 2023M734003Guangdong Medical Research Foundation A2023113National Natural Science Foundation of China 82303059National Natural Science Foundation of China 82304069National Natural Science Foundation of China 82373083National Natural Science Foundation of China 823B2079National Natural Science Foundation of China 82403184Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, China 2024A1515012316the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation 2022A1515111090the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation 2024A1515012803
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) represents a highly aggressive malignancy with limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis. This study uncovers PCIF1 as a critical driver of OSCC progression via m6Am RNA modification, leading to translational repression of the tumour suppressor MTF2. Our results demonstrate that PCIF1 selectively suppresses MTF2 translation, activating oncogenic pathways that promote OSCC growth. In vitro and in vivo models confirm that PCIF1 knockdown reduces OSCC progression, whereas MTF2 knockdown counteracts this effect, highlighting the importance of the PCIF1-MTF2 axis. Clinical analyses further reveal that high PCIF1 expression and low MTF2 expression correlate with advanced tumour stage, poor treatment response and decreased overall survival. Furthermore, in a preclinical mouse model, PCIF1 knockout enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD1 immunotherapy, reducing tumour burden and improving histological outcomes. Notably, flow cytometry analysis indicated that PCIF1 primarily exerts its effects through tumour-intrinsic mechanisms rather than direct modulation of the immune microenvironment, distinguishing its mode of action from PD1 blockade. These findings establish PCIF1 and MTF2 as promising prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for OSCC, offering new avenues for treatment strategies and patient stratification. KEY POINTS: PCIF1 promotes OSCC progression via m6Am methylation at the MTF2 mRNA 5' cap. m6Am methylation suppresses MTF2 translation, enhancing tumour cell proliferation and invasion. Targeting PCIF1 holds therapeutic potential for OSCC treatment.

Indexed as

Esophageal NeoplasmsEsophageal Squamous Cell CarcinomaAdenosineAnimalsCell Line, TumorDisease ProgressionFemaleHumansMiceAdenosineN-methyladenosinem6Am modificationMTF2OSCCPCIF1

Identifiers

PMID40156159
PMCPMC11953057

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.