NKAIN1 expression relates to the immune evasion and prognosis of gastric cancer

Abstract

Abstract Patients with gastric cancer often exhibit poor responses to immunotherapy and experience unfavorable outcomes. This study aims to investigate the relationship between NKAIN1 levels in the tumor microenvironment and gastric carcinoma patients characteristics. Gene expression analysis, multiplex immunohistochemistry using tissue microarrays, and Quantitative Pathology Imaging System were conducted for determining the expression of NKAIN1 in gastric carcinoma tissues and association with patient outcomes. Additionally, we used the Spearman correlation method to assess the relationship between NKAIN1 protein expression in the tumor immune microenvironment and immune checkpoint markers of gastric carcinoma. Lastly, we evaluated the predictive significance of NKAIN1 presence using Cox regression models. The study findings indicated a significant increase in NKAIN1 expression in gastric carcinoma tissues compared to non-tumor stomach tissues. Moreover, a clear association between NKAIN1 expression and CTLA-4, as well as PD-L1, was identified. Importantly, the increased NKAIN1 protein expression was identified as an independent prognostic factor for adverse clinical outcomes in gastric cancer. In conclusion, this study supports NKAIN1 as a prognostic marker and promising target for immune therapy in stomach carcinoma.