OCT4 and Gastrointestinal cancers: an overview

There is substantial evidence supporting the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in the initiation andprogression of cancer. However, the mechanisms underlying these processes are much more complexand difficult to fully comprehend. Various stemness factors in CSCs and their intricate interactionsacross different cancer stages have been documented. As a result, it appears that concentrating on asingle master factor may be more effective in unraveling the signaling pathways in these cells. Octamerbindingtranscription factor 4 (OCT4), also referred to as POU domain, class 5, transcription factor 1(POU5F1), is one of these essential pluripotency factors, playing critical roles in both embryogenesisand tumorigenesis. OCT4 influences multiple processes of gastrointestinal cancers, such as proliferation,invasion, and metastasis, through various signaling pathways. According to the literatures, OCT4significantly impacts cancer progression at various stages, suggesting its potential as a target fortherapeutic interventions. This review focuses on OCT4's impact on gastrointestinal malignancies,including esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers.

OCT4 and Gastrointestinal cancers: an overview Keywords:

Octamer Binding Protein , Esophageal cancer , Gastric cancer , Colorectal cancer