Transforming Growth Factor-β1 as a Biomarker of Malignant Behavior and PD-L1 Expression in Thymic Epithelial Tumors.

ABSTRACT: The clinical significance and molecular mechanisms underlying tumor progression in thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) remain largely unclear. In this retrospective single-center study, we evaluated the prognostic value of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) and its relationship with programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. A total of 92 patients with surgically resected TETs, including 79 thymomas and 13 thymic carcinomas, were included. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed to assess the expression of TGF-β1, PD-L1, phosphorylated Smad2 (pSmad2), and pSmad3. Associations between TGF-β1 expression and clinicopathological features were analyzed, and mechanistic interactions were investigated using two thymic carcinoma cell lines exposed to exogenous TGF-β1. High TGF-β1 expres

SUBMITTER: Nakazono C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12775583 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature