HOXB13 affects the cancer stem cell characteristics of nasopharyngeal carcinoma by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin/SOX2 pathway.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

HOXB13 has been shown to act as a tumor promoter in various malignancies; however, its role in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the function of HOXB13 in NPC and elucidate its underlying mechanism to identify novel targets for NPC diagnosis and therapy.

Methods

HOXB13 expression in NPC was examined through bioinformatic analyses of the TCGA and GEO databases, and the findings were validated using molecular biology techniques. After the transfection of NPC cell lines with siRNA targeting HOXB13 (si-HOXB13), the effects of HOXB13 knockdown on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and stemness were evaluated. Expression levels of Wnt/β-catenin/SOX2 pathway-related proteins were assessed. In vivo, NPC cells transfected

SUBMITTER: Xu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12482284 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature