IL-1A is associated with postoperative survival and immune contexture in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Background: Interleukin-1α (IL-1α) is thought to play a major role in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), but the specific mechanism is unclear. In this study, we explored the potential mechanism of the role of IL-1α in RCC.

Methods: Two cohorts were included in this study: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort (n=521) and Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (FUSCC) cohort (n=198). These cohorts were used for cell infiltration-related analyses.

Results: In TCGA cohort, expression of IL-1α was significantly increased in patients with RCC. High IL-1α mRNA expression and intratumoral IL-1α+ cells were correlated with poor OS, which remained significant after adjustment for confounders. Elevated IL-1α mRNA expression and increased intratumoral IL-1α+ cell infiltration were associated with less mast cell infiltration in RCC. Among the relationships between IL-1α and cytotoxic factors, IL-1α was correlated with IFN-γ, TNFSF11, and GZMA. Among the relationships between IL-1α and immunosuppressive factors, we found that IL-1α was correlated with PDCD1, CD274, CTL1A4, LAG3, and BTLA.

Conclusion: Expression of IL-1α was significantly correlated with the prognosis of RCC patients. IL-1α may participate in the development and progression of renal cancer through interactions with immune infiltrating mast cells. Our data demonstrate that IL-1α is a prognostic factor and potential therapeutic target for RCC.