SOX4: Epigenetic regulation and role in tumorigenesis

Sex-determining region Y-related (SRY) high-mobility group box 4 (SOX4) is a member of the group C subfamily of SOX transcription factors and promotes tumorigenesis by endowing cancer cells with survival, migratory, and invasive capacities. Emerging evidence has highlighted an unequivocal role for this transcription factor in mediating various signaling pathways involved in tumorigenesis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and tumor progression. During the last decade, numerous studies have highlighted the epigenetic interplay between SOX4-targeting microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and SOX4 and the subsequent modulation of tumorigenesis, invasion and metastasis. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge about the role of SOX4 in cancer development and progression, the epigenetic regulation of SOX4, and the potential utilization of SOX4 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and its depletion as a therapeutic target.