Ifitm1, short for interferon (IFN)-induced transmembrane protein 1, is a member of the IFN-induced transmembrane protein family. It is involved in the innate immune response triggered by viral infection, playing a crucial role in cellular antiviral responses [2,5]. It has also been associated with functions in germ cell specification and immune functions [5].

Ifitm1 is highly expressed in multiple tumor tissues and cancer cell lines, and is an independent prognostic biomarker for certain tumor types like gallbladder carcinoma, esophageal adenocarcinoma, colorectal cancer, and gastric cancer. Overexpression of Ifitm1 promotes tumor cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and therapeutic resistance [1]. In colorectal cancer, Apc mutation induces Ifitm1 expression, and Ifitm1high cells have reduced uptake of fibroblast extracellular vesicles (EVs), with inactivating Ifitm1 enhancing EV uptake [4]. In lung adenocarcinoma, IFITM1 is highly expressed through the activation of the STING-TBK1-IRF3 signaling in invasive cancer with phosphomimetic FoxM1, enhancing FoxM1-mediated signaling [3]. Also, in porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infection, overexpression of Ifitm1 suppresses PEDV proliferation in IPEC-J2 cells, while knockdown has the opposite effect [2].

In summary, Ifitm1 has diverse functions in both antiviral responses and tumor-related processes. Its role in promoting tumor progression and its impact on viral infections like PEDV highlight its significance in both oncology and virology research. Understanding Ifitm1 through functional studies, including gene knockout models, provides insights into disease mechanisms, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies for cancer and viral diseases.