Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40208395›Full record

ArticleJournal of gastrointestinal cancer2025

Regulatory T Cell Infiltration-Driven Single-Cell Transcriptomic Analysis Identifies SAP18 as a Prognostic Marker for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Jianxiang Huang, Hanshuo Zhang, Xinyue Lin, Xiaolong Wu, Xiaoshan Chen, Wang Chen, Shanshan Liang, Yun Chen, Qianhua Luo, Chengcheng Xu and 3 more

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In one paragraph

Article in Journal of gastrointestinal cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

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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

13 authors.

Jianxiang HuangDepartment of Pharmacy, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510220, PR China.
Hanshuo ZhangGastrointestinal Anorectal Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510220, PR China.
Xinyue LinDepartment of Pharmacology, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, PR China.
Xiaolong WuDepartment of Pharmacy, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510220, PR China.
Xiaoshan ChenDepartment of Pharmacy, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510220, PR China.
Wang ChenDepartment of Pharmacy, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510220, PR China.
Shanshan LiangDepartment of Pharmacy, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510220, PR China.
Yun ChenDepartment of Pharmacy, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510220, PR China.
Qianhua LuoDepartment of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510317, PR China.
Chengcheng XuCollege of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510220, PR China.
Shaojie LiuGastrointestinal Anorectal Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510220, PR China.
Xingmei LiuDepartment of Pharmacy, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510220, PR China. 1272915384@qq.com.
Shuyao ZhangDepartment of Pharmacy, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510220, PR China. shuyao0754@ext.jnu.edu.cn.

Funding

Guangdong Pharmaceutical Association 2023QNTJ45Guangdong Province Clinical Drug Research Fund project 2022JZ21Lianyungang Huilan Public Welfare Foundation HLJJ202209029
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAdvanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is characterized by molecular heterogeneity and distinct patterns of immune cell infiltration. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), in particular, play a critical role in shaping an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which is associated with poor clinical outcomes.

methodsWe developed a prognostic model by integrating GEO-derived bulk RNA sequencing data and single-cell transcriptome. Model predictions were confirmed through RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry on clinical specimens, while in vitro assays (CCK8, transwell invasion, scratch, colony formation, and immunofluorescence) validated the function of SAP18 in cell proliferation, invasion, and ECM remodeling.

resultsExpression patterns of the 5 Tregs-associated genes in clinical specimens aligned with model predictions, underscoring the model's robustness. The high-risk subgroup was associated with upregulated extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, an abundance of immune-suppressive cells, higher TP53 mutation rate, and limited benefit from immunotherapy. In contrast, the low-risk subgroup exhibited anti-tumor immunity. Cell-cell communication analysis also implicated the collagen pathway in Tregs-mediated immune evasion in ESCC. Functional assays indicated that SAP18 in the prognostic model significantly promotes proliferation, invasion, and ECM reconstruction, further highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target.

conclusionOur findings elucidate the role of Tregs in the TME, underscoring significant potential of SAP18, which is essential for assessing patient prognosis and may facilitate the development of personalized therapies for ESCC.

Indexed as

Biomarkers, TumorEsophageal NeoplasmsEsophageal Squamous Cell CarcinomaT-Lymphocytes, RegulatoryCell ProliferationFemaleGene Expression ProfilingGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrognosisSingle-Cell AnalysisTranscriptomeTumor MicroenvironmentBiomarkers, TumorCollagen pathwayEsophageal squamous cell carcinomaRegulatory T cellsTumor microenvironment

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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.