CYTL1 Drives Melanoma Angiogenesis via VEGF Pathway: A TCGA-Based Mechanistic Insight for Photodynamic Therapy

VEGF signaling is critical for melanoma angiogenesis, yet the role of CYTL1 and its therapeutic potential remain unexplored. To investigate CYTL1’s role in melanoma angiogenesis and evaluate the translational value of its antagonist RS504393 combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT). Prognostic analysis of CYTL1 via TCGA database; spatial localization of CYTL1 expression using TISCH single-cell RNA-seq; functional pathway annotation by GO/KEGG enrichment. CYTL1 was highly expressed in melanoma and endothelial cells (single-cell data) and correlated with poor prognosis (p<0.001). Functional analysis revealed CYTL1’s enrichment in VEGF signaling (p=0.001) and EMT pathways. Its receptor antagonist RS504393 may enhance PDT efficacy by blocking angiogenic repair. CYTL1 is a novel pro-angiogenic factor in melanoma, and targeting the CYTL1-VEGF axis provides a promising strategy to overcome PDT resistance.Future Directions: Validate RS504393’s anti-angiogenic effects in vitro and evaluate its synergy with PDT in humanized mouse models.