Immunologic Evaluation of TNFAIP1 acts as a Tumor Suppressor and Therapeutic Target in Bladder Cancer in the Province Thi-Qar, South Iraq

Background: Bladder cancer remains a significant health burden, particularly among elderly males. TNFAIP1 has been investigated within the context of various cancers. However, its function in bladder cancer remains inadequately elucidated. Objectives: This study evaluated the immunological and molecular roles of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha-Induced Protein 1 (TNFAIP1) in bladder cancer among patients in Thi-Qar, Iraq. Methodology: A case-control design was employed, including 98 patients and 90 healthy individuals. Hematological analysis revealed significant differences in WBC, RBC, Hb, NLR, MPV, and ESR values between the groups, suggesting systemic inflammatory and anemic profiles in patients. Results: Serum TNFAIP1 levels, measured using ELISA, were significantly elevated in all cancer stages compared to controls (p<0.01), with concentrations increasing from Stage I to IV. Similarly, qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated a progressive upregulation of TNFAIP1 gene expression with advancing cancer stage, indicating a potential role in tumor progression. The correlation between elevated TNFAIP1 levels and clinical stage suggests its utility as a biomarker for disease severity. Conclusion: These findings support the hypothesis that TNFAIP1 plays a role in bladder tumorigenesis and may serve as a valuable diagnostic and prognostic indicator. Moreover, TNFAIP1's interaction with inflammatory pathways highlights its potential as a therapeutic target. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanistic pathways involved and validate TNFAIP1 in larger, multi-center cohorts.