ICMT as a potential biomarker in cancer

Abstract

ICMT encodes the third of three enzymes that posttranslationally modify C-terminal cysteine residues in certain proteins. In the last few years, several studies have shown that it may play a role in carcinogenesis. Based on bioinformatics data, we explored its oncogenic role. ICMT expression is widespread in almost all tissues of the body and, in most tumors, it is increased with regard to the corresponding healthy tissues. Furthermore, ICMT overexpression correlates with decreased overall patient survival in a large number of tumor types. From ICMT genetic alteration data, we observed that the proportion of patients with ICMT copy number variations, fusions or mutations is very low. This indicates that its protumoral effects may be associated with changes in its expression level. Altogether, this study provides evidence that underscores the prognostic value and oncogenic role of ICMT in multiple tumor types.