biostudies-literatureFisher MLNCI NIH HHSCancer Center SupportNIHNIH HHS6246-6258https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8692924biostudies-literatureUnknown81(24)Bromodomain containing protein 4 (BRD4) plays a critical role in controlling the expression of genes involved in development and cancer. Inactivation of BRD4 inhibits cancer growth, making it a promising anticancer drug target. The cancer stem cell (CSC) population is a key driver of recurrence and metastasis in patients with cancer. Here we show that cancer stem-like cells can be enriched from squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), and that these cells display an aggressive phenotype with enhanced stem cell marker expression, migration, invasion, and tumor growth. BRD4 is highly elevated in this aggressive subpopulation of cells, and its function is critical for these CSC-like properties. Moreover, BRD4 regulates ΔNp63α, a key transcription factor that is essential for epithelial stem cell functCancer researchBRD4 Regulates Transcription Factor ΔNp63α to Drive a Cancer Stem Cell Phenotype in Squamous Cell Carcinomas.PMC8692924CA247400CA225134P30 CA0455085P30CA045508F31 CA247400R21 OD018332R01CA190997R01 CA190997R21OD018332F32 CA225134Balinth SFisher MLMills AAGoldberg GLHwangbo YWu CWilkinson JEBallon CfalseBRD4 Regulates Transcription Factor ΔNp63α to Drive a Cancer Stem Cell Phenotype in Squamous Cell Carcinomas.Bromodomain containing protein 4 (BRD4) plays a critical role in controlling the expression of genes involved in development and cancer. Inactivation of BRD4 inhibits cancer growth, making it a promising anticancer drug target. The cancer stem cell (CSC) population is a key driver of recurrence and metastasis in patients with cancer. Here we show that cancer stem-like cells can be enriched from squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), and that these cells display an aggressive phenotype with enhanced stem cell marker expression, migration, invasion, and tumor growth. BRD4 is highly elevated in this aggressive subpopulation of cells, and its function is critical for these CSC-like properties. Moreover, BRD4 regulates ΔNp63α, a key transcription factor that is essential for epithelial stem cell funct2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Dec2025-05-18T12:08:31.994Z2025-04-06T09:02:35.68ZS-EPMC86929243469707210.1158/0008-5472.can-21-070710.1158/0008-5472.CAN-21-0707