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Unveiling SSR4: a promising biomarker in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Summary

Researchers discovered that a protein called SSR4 is overexpressed in esophageal cancer cells and is associated with poor patient outcomes. This protein appears to be involved in how cancer cells communicate with immune cells in the tumor environment. The findings suggest SSR4 could be used as a diagnostic marker and potential therapeutic target for treating esophageal cancer patients.

Background

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a frequent cancer with poor prognosis. Altered glucose metabolism contributes to ESCC progression. Signal sequence receptor subunit delta (SSR4) was previously included in an ESCC prognostic model, but its role in ESCC remains unclear.

Objective

This study aims to determine the interconnection between SSR4 expression and clinical characteristics of ESCC and to explore SSR4’s potential as a biomarker for diagnosis and targeted therapy development.

Results

SSR4 was overexpressed in ESCC tissues compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissues, validated by RT-qPCR and IHC. SSR4 expression was related to N stage, lymph node metastasis, and AJCC TNM stage. Patients with low SSR4 expression had better prognosis. CellChat analysis indicated SSR4 regulates interactions between tumor plasma cells and the tumor microenvironment via the MIF/CD74/CXCR4 axis.

Conclusion

SSR4 is significantly overexpressed in ESCC and correlates with poor clinical outcomes. SSR4 may regulate the tumor microenvironment and serve as a promising biomarker for ESCC diagnosis and targeted treatment approaches.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Immunology,
  • Study Type:Research Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40066443, DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1544154
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