TIM-3 in the tumor microenvironment can exert immunosuppressive effects by inhibiting Th1 and Th17 cells, inducing exhaustion of CD8+ T cells, promoting the expansion of highly immunosuppressive Treg cell populations, facilitating massive expansion of bone marrow-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) with potent T-cell immunosuppressive functions, and promoting innate immune suppression and tumor immune escape pathways (14). The gene discussed is HAVCR2; the disease is neoplasm.