SOX4-STAT6-MTHFD2 axis drives hepatocellular carcinoma progression and treatment resistance.

ABSTRACT: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major global health burden. Despite recent advances in immunotherapy, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) treatment or combined therapies, therapeutic resistance and disease progression remain significant challenges. SOX4, a transcription factor frequently overexpressed in HCC and other cancers, has been linked to drug resistance and poor prognosis; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unexplored. In this study, we identify STAT6 as a novel transcriptional target and interacting partner of SOX4 in HCC cells. Genetic ablation or knockdown of SOX4 induced hypermethylation of the STAT6 promoter, suppressing its expression, while treatment with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine restored STAT6 levels, indicating an epigen

SUBMITTER: Tsai CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12858837 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature