An integrative analysis reveals the prognostic and immunological role of TIMP gene family in pan-cancer

Abstract Cancer is a serious disease that threatens human health. Radiation, chemotherapy, and surgical excision are the main strategies used to treat tumors. However, important targets and vital genes have gradually come to light. TIMPs, inhibitors of the matrix metalloproteinase, were related to tumor progression. It is still uncertain, nevertheless, how they affect the progression and prognosis of pan-cancer. Therefore, the profiles of TIMP gene family expression in various cancers were evaluated via The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The prognostic value of the TIMP gene family was investigated by K-M plotter and Cox regression analysis. Additionally, we explored the association among TIMP gene family expression level, immune cell infiltration, immune-related genes, and linked pathways. We found in several malignancies, there were notable differences in the TIMP gene family expression levels between tumor and normal tissues. Meanwhile, a prognosis study revealed clear connections between the the TIMP gene family expression and the clinical prognosis of cancer patients in many cancers. Additionally, the TIMP gene family expression was associated with the infiltration of immune cells, especially macrophages. Thus, we proposed the TIMP gene family could be addressed as novel biomarkers for determining prospective prognostic values and potential therapeutic targets for cancer patients.