Publication Name	World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology
Manuscript ID	125401
DOI	10.4251/wjgo.125401
Country	China

Category	Oncology
Manuscript Type	Minireviews
Article Title	TIM-3, an emerging myeloid checkpoint with potential roles in macrophage polarization and immune evasion in gastric cancer
Manuscript Source	Invited Manuscript
All Author List	Ke-Yuan Xiao, Ahmad Akira Omar Farouk, Manraj Singh Cheema, Muhammad Nazrul Hakim Abdullah, Liang Zong and Armania Nurdin
Funding Agency and Grant Number	Funding Agency Grant Number Fundamental Research Program of Shanxi Province 202303021212364 Research Project of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tumor Institute of Shanxi Medical University 3F022025014
Corresponding Author	Liang Zong, Central Lab, Institute of the Prevention and Treatment of Upper Gastrointestinal Tumors, Changzhi People’s Hospital, No. 105 North Street, Changzhi 046000, Shanxi Province, China. 250537471@qq.com
Key Words	Gastric cancer; T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3; Myeloid checkpoint; Macrophage polarization; Immune resistance; Tumor-associated macrophages; Tumor microenvironment
Core Tip	This minireview reframes T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (TIM-3) as a potential myeloid checkpoint in gastric cancer (GC). By integrating single-cell RNA sequencing and bulk transcriptomic analyses of specifically secreted phosphoprotein 1 positive and complement C1q A chain positive tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) subsets in GC with pan-cancer mechanistic evidence, we hypothesize that TIM-3 signaling drives M2-like TAM polarization, creates fibrotic and metabolic barriers, and promotes an immune-excluded tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, we outline the dynamic feedback loop underlying programmed cell death protein 1 resistance and propose a new approach for myeloid-targeted combination therapies to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy for GC. Further mechanistic and clinical validation in GC-specific prospective studies is necessary.
Citation	Xiao KY, Farouk AAO, Cheema MS, Abdullah MNH, Zong L, Nurdin A. TIM-3, an emerging myeloid checkpoint with potential roles in macrophage polarization and immune evasion in gastric cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2026; In press DOI: https://doi.org/10.4251/wjgo.125401
PDF	125401-in-press.pdf

Received	2026-07-07 09:22
Peer-Review Started	2026-07-07 09:23
First Decision by Editorial Office Director
Return for Revision	2026-08-05 02:35
Revised	2026-08-16 15:31
Publication Fee Transferred
Second Decision by Editor	2026-11-02 02:19
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-11-04 10:26
Articles in Press	2026-11-04 10:26
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1948-5204 (online)
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