New Mitochondria-Linked Gene Model for Evaluating Immune Environment and Predicting Survival in Esophageal Cancer

The mitochondria-associated risk (MAR) model identified significant differences in immune infiltration and tumor microenvironment characteristics between high- and low-risk groups in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

• A total of 91 transcriptome expression profiles were analyzed to identify genes correlated with ESCC.
• The MAR model constructed through statistical analysis showed a strong association with risk scores and common immunological checkpoints.
• In vitro experiments indicated that knockdown of the gene TYMS significantly reduced the proliferation and invasion of ESCC cells.
• Specific drugs demonstrated varying effectiveness based on risk classification, with AZD1332 and AZD7762 favored for low-risk patients.
• The MAR model may serve as a prognostic biomarker, suggesting potential for personalized treatment strategies for ESCC.

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