A Brief Review on the Role of the Transcription Factor PBX1 in Hematologic Malignancies

TL;DR

This review explores how the PBX1 transcription factor contributes to blood cancers and its potential as a target for treatment and prognosis.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of PBX1's role in hematologic malignancies and its emerging potential as a therapeutic target.

Findings

PBX1 is involved in gene regulation that affects cell proliferation and differentiation in blood cancers.

PBX1 and E2A::PBX1 are linked to abnormal gene regulation and tumorigenesis in leukemias and plasma cell neoplasms.

PBX1 shows promise as a prognostic and predictive biomarker for aggressive blood cancers.

Abstract

Pre-B-cell leukemia factor 1 (PBX1) is a transcription factor that plays a significant role in various physiological, developmental, and oncogenic processes in humans. The mechanisms and interactions of PBX1 in both solid and hematologic malignancies remain significant areas of study. It was initially found in pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia as a result of the chromosomal translocation t(1;19). Over the years, its role in other blood neoplasms has been studied. PBX1 and its variant E2A::PBX1 regulate gene expression that influences cell proliferation and differentiation in hematopoietic lineages. Their interaction with oncogenic partners results in abnormal gene regulation and tumorigenesis. Research has predominantly focused on the role of these factors in leukemias and plasma cell neoplasms, whereas other hematologic neoplasms have been largely overlooked. The potential application of PBX1 as a prognostic and predictive biomarker has recently gained attention. However, further research is needed to fully understand its complex role and how it can be targeted for therapeutic purposes. This review summarizes current knowledge on PBX1’s role in the growth of both mature and immature hematologic neoplasms. Moreover, it focuses on its prospective use as a therapeutic target and to predict prognosis, especially for aggressive neoplasms that do not respond to current therapeutic approaches.