CX3CR1 Functions as a Biomarker Associated with Pathological Tumor Staging in ‎the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Prostate Cancer.

Previous research has identified several potential biomarkers associated with pathological ‎tumor (pT) staging in prostate cancer (PCa) patients. Among these biomarkers, CX3CR1 is ‎notable for its connection to the immune microenvironment.‎. To further investigate the significance of CX3CR1 as a key biomarker for predicting pT ‎staging and PCa progression.‎. Prostate cancer tissue samples were analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription ‎polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemical staining. The diagnostic ‎performance of CX3CR1 was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, ‎while Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was conducted to determine overall survival (OS) rates.‎. A significant decrease in CX3CR1 expression was observed in PCa tissues compared to ‎adjacent normal tissues, with the lowest levels detected in pT3 tumors. CX3CR1 expression ‎showed a negative correlation with preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, lymph ‎node staging (N stage), Gleason score, and overall survival (OS). Additionally, CX3CR1 levels ‎were associated with the polarization of infiltrating CD4+ T cells in PCa patients.‎. CX3CR1, as a biomarker associated with pT staging, plays a role in predicting PCa prognosis, ‎potentially by modulating the immune microenvironment.‎.