Pan-cancer multi-omics analysis reveals IQCE as a malignant cell-restricted oncogenic biomarker driving immunosuppression and chemoresistance in cutaneous melanoma

Abstract Background: Cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) presents significant therapeutic challenges due to heterogeneity and acquired resistance to targeted and immune checkpoint blockade therapies. IQCE, a ciliary scaffold protein, has poorly defined roles in cancer. Its clinical significance, molecular mechanisms, and impact on the tumor microenvironment (TME) and therapy response are largely unknown. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive pan-cancer multi-omics analysis of IQCE using genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, spatial transcriptomic, single-cell transcriptomic, and pharmacogenomic datasets. Analyses included differential expression, survival, pathway enrichment, immune