Analysis of the Oncogenic Role of Colony-Stimulating Factor 1 Receptor (CSF1R) inPancreatic Adenocarcinoma

INTRODUCTION: Based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), we profiled the role of Colony-Stimulating Factor 1 Receptor (CSF1R) in cancer. We specifically focused on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PAAD), analysing its regulative function in cancer progression and its usefulness as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target. METHODS: Using the TCGA and GEO databases, gene expression, survival prognosis, genetic abnormalities, immune infiltration, and CSF1R-related gene enrichment related to the CSF1R gene in patients with PAAD were studied. RESULTS: CSF1R expression appears to affect the development of PAAD; there is more CSF1R expression in the tumour tissue than in nearby normal tissues. There was no statistical difference in the overall survival or diseasefree survival of CSF1R expression. Analysis of changes in the CSF1R gene showed that PAAD samples had a low mutation frequency, and CSF1R gene amplification was the main reason. It was additionally emphasized that the impact of CSF1R on the tumor microenvironment, as evidenced by an immunological infiltration analysis, showed a strong correlation between the estimated infiltration values of cancer-associated fibroblasts and CSF1R expression in PAAD. This additional evidence was found for CSF1R expression in cancer-associated fibroblasts in PAAD. DISCUSSION: Targeting CSF1R might be a promising strategy for PAAD treatment. Inhibiting CSF1R activity or TGF-β binding to CSF1R inhibits tumour growth and immune escape. Investigating the link between CSF1R, TGF-β, and the immune system leads to new opportunities for combination therapies that integrate targeted medicine with immunotherapy. CONCLUSION: Targeting CSF1R might be a PAAD treatment. Inhibiting CSF1R activity or TGF-β binding to CSF1R inhibits tumour growth and immune escape. Investigating the link between CSF1R, TGF-β, and the immune system opens new opportunities for combining targeted medicines with immunotherapy.