LGALS9 and neoplasm: Therefore, the sTim3 concentration may reflect the expression level of membrane‐bound Tim3.5 It is known that interactions between Tim3 and its ligand gal‐9 play an important regulatory role in transplantation,1, 20 chronic infection,21, 22, 23 autoimmune disorders,10, 24, 25 and tumor immunity.5, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 However, the roles of Tim3 and sTim3 in pathogenesis have not been fully revealed.