POLQ promotes tumor progression and immunosuppression via ATM‑P53 signaling in endometrial cancer
Endometrial cancer (EC) is a one of the most prevalent gynecological malignancies worldwide; however, the molecular mechanisms driving its progression remain insufficiently understood. In the present study, DNA polymerase θ (POLQ), which is implicated in multiple types of cancer, was comprehensively investigated in EC using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and TNMplot datasets, with further validation in an independent patient cohort. POLQ expression was markedly upregulated in EC tissues and was associated with reduced 15‑year overall survival. Increased POLQ levels were also associated with higher Ki67 proliferation indices, distinct patterns of T‑cell infiltration and enhanced programmed death‑ligand 1 (PD‑L1) expression. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis revealed that POLQ expression was associated with pathways involved in cell proliferation, cell cycle regulation and DNA damage repair. Mechanistic studies based on POLQ knockdown in EC cells were conducted