Impact of CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain containing 6 (CMTM6) expression in gastric cancer

Background : CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain containing 6 (CMTM6) is the master regulator of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). We aimed to clarify the significance of CMTM6 expression in gastric cancer (GC). Methods : A total of 105 patients who had undergone curative surgical resection for stage II / III GC at Tokushima University Hospital were included in this study. The expression of CMTM6 was examined by immunohistochemistry. Additionally, the relationship of each expression level to several prognostic factors was examined using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results : CMTM6 was not positively correlated with any of the factors examined. The overall survival (OS) rates were significantly poorer in the CMTM6 high-expression group than in the CMTM low-expression group (5-year OS : 57.2% vs. 79.2%, respectively ; p < 0.05). Disease-free survival (DFS) was significantly poorer in the CMTM high-expression group than in the CMTM6 low-expression group (5-year DFS : 52.8% vs. 72.4%, respectively ; p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis confirmed CMTM6 expression as an independent prognostic factor in DFS (p < 0.05). CMTM6 expression tended to be correlated with PD-L1 expression (p = 0.07). Conclusions : CMTM6 is associated with a poor prognosis and immunotolerance through PD-L1 in GC.