Comprehensive Pan-Cancer Analysis Identifies IGFL1 as an Oncogenic Biomarker and Immunotherapeutic Target with Experimental Validation in Bladder Cancer.

BACKGROUND

IGFL1, a member of the insulin growth factor-like family, plays a potential role in tumorigenesis. This study aimed to investigate IGFL1 expression and its prognostic and immunological significance across cancers, with experimental validation in bladder cancer (BLCA).

METHODS

Data from TCGA, GTEx, and TIMER2.0 were analyzed to assess IGFL1 expression across cancers and its associations with prognosis, immune subtypes, immune infiltration, and tumor-related genomic features. Drug sensitivity data were also evaluated. Given BLCA's high mutation burden, limited treatment options, and strong IGFL1 dysregulation observed in pan-cancer analysis, we selected it for experimental validation. In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to validate the oncogenic role of IGFL1 in BLCA and explore its underlying mechanisms.

RESULTS

IGFL1 was significantly overexpressed in 10 tumor types and associated with advanced stage and grade in BLCA. High IGFL1 expression correlated with poor prognosis in OV, SARC, HNSC, PAAD, UCEC, KIRC, and BLCA. IGFL1 expression was linked to features of the tumor microenvironment in several cancers. In BLCA tissues, IGFL1 levels were markedly elevated. Knockdown of IGFL1 in 5637 and ScaBER cells reduced proliferation, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related protein expression; overexpression had the opposite effect. In vivo, IGFL1 silencing suppressed xenograft tumor growth, decreased Ki67 expression, increased apoptosis, and enhanced CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell infiltration. Mechanistic analysis suggested that IGFL1's effects are mediated through the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

IGFL1 promotes tumor progression and immune modulation in multiple cancers, particularly in BLCA. Its oncogenic and immunosuppressive roles, mediated through the JAK2/STAT3 axis, support its potential as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target.