SPI1-driven POSTN transcription promotes esophageal cancer progression and macrophage immunosuppressive polarization.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer (EC) is a common gastrointestinal cancer with the highest mortality. Studies have suggested that macrophages play a key role in cancer progression. Increasing evidence reveals that periostin (POSTN) is associated with the physiological and pathological processes in EC. However, the upstream mechanisms of POSTN on EC cell oncogenic properties and macrophages are still vague. METHODS: assay. RESULTS: assay showed that POSTN overexpression abolished SPI1-induced growth inhibition in EC xenografts. CONCLUSION: SPI1-driven POSTN transcription promotes EC cell growth and induces macrophage infiltration and immunosuppressive polarization, suggesting a new target for EC therapy.