Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42310565›Full record

ArticleBMC cancer2026

Correlated expression of MYBL2 and CCL5 defines an immunosuppressive microenvironment and predicts poor prognosis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Junkai Ren, Sicheng Xu, Xing He, Huilin Ye, Wenbin Li

Abstract read
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Article in BMC cancer, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Junkai RenDepartment of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China.
Sicheng XuDepartment of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China.
Xing HeDepartment of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China.
Huilin YeDepartment of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China.
Wenbin LiDepartment of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China. gzsurgeon@163.com.

Funding

the National Natural Science Foundation of China 81971463the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province 2025A1515010410
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe tumor immune microenvironment critically influences progression and therapeutic response in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). MYBL2 drives tumor aggressiveness, while CCL5 regulates immune-cell recruitment; however, their combined impact on immune composition and PD-1 therapy response remains undefined.

methodsTumor specimens from 127 ICC patients were assessed by immunohistochemistry and whole-slide digital quantification. MYBL2 and CCL5 expression were classified into four combinatorial phenotypes. Associations with immune-cell infiltration, survival, and treatment response were evaluated using correlation analysis, Kaplan-Meier curves, Cox regression, and PD-1 interaction analyses. Seventy patients received adjuvant PD-1 therapy.

resultsMYBL2 and CCL5 expression were positively correlated (r = 0.38, p < 0.001). Higher CCL5 levels were associated with increased CD163⁺ TAM density (r = 0.31, p < 0.001) and a reduced CD8/CD163 ratio, indicating an immunosuppressive microenvironment. The MYBL2-CCL5 classification provided clear prognostic discrimination, with the Double-High subgroup showing the shortest OS and PFS. Among PD-1-treated patients, treatment benefit varied markedly across phenotypes: the Double-Low group achieved the greatest survival advantage, whereas the Double-High group showed minimal response, reflecting primary resistance. In multivariable analysis, Double-Low remained strongly protective compared with Double-High.

conclusionThe MYBL2-CCL5 co-expression phenotype identifies an immunosuppressive, TAM-dominant microenvironment and serves as a dual biomarker for both prognosis and PD-1 treatment sensitivity in ICC. This immunologic classification offers a practical framework for postoperative risk stratification and personalized immunotherapy decision-making.

Indexed as

Bile Duct NeoplasmsChemokine CCL5CholangiocarcinomaTumor MicroenvironmentAgedBiomarkers, TumorFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrognosisBiomarkers, TumorCCL5 protein, humanChemokine CCL5CCL5Immune microenvironmentIntrahepatic cholangiocarcinomaMYBL2PD-1 blockadePrognostic biomarkerTumor-associated macrophages

Identifiers

PMID42310565
PMCPMC13543640

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