Conclusion
High expression of THBS1 leads to a poor prognosis in PTCs and suppresses the anti-tumor immune microenvironment.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study was designed, and data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and PTC tissues from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center were used. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed to build a THBS1-immune-related gene prognostic index (T-I index).
Results
High THBS1 expression was correlated with advanced TNM stage, higher recurrence risk, and shorter progression-free interval. High THBS1 expression correlated with MAPK and PD1 pathways indicating a tumor promoting and immunity-inhibiting tendency. The T-I index showed a powerful capacity to predict progression-free survival and immunotherapy benefit.