Correlation between the immune checkpoints and EMT genes proposes potential prognostic and therapeutic targets in ESCC.

PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4, TIM-3, and LAG-3, crucial immune checkpoint molecules in the tumor microenvironment, identify as key targets for cancer immunotherapy. There is a correlation between immune cells and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes expression in varies human cancers. In this study, we aimed to investigate the probable association between expression of immune checkpoints and EMT in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) with clinical treats for providing the new therapeutic targets and prognostic value for the disease.