From Basics to the Cutting Edge: HOXA6 Gene May Be a Breakthrough in Liver Cancer Precision Treatment

This study explores the biological function and molecular mechanism of the homeobox gene A6 (HOXA6) in liver cancer HepG2 cells, revealing its regulatory effects on cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis. The study shows that HOXA6 overexpression can significantly inhibit the proliferation and migration ability of HepG2 cells and promote cell apoptosis, suggesting that it may act as a tumor suppressor gene in the regulation of liver cancer progression. Mechanically, HOXA6 affects cell apoptosis by down-regulating the BAX/BCL2 ratio, while regulating the expression of migration-related proteins such as TIMP3, MMP9, and MMP3, thereby inhibiting tumor cell invasion. In addition, the effect of HOXA6 may be related to the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, manifested by the reduction of p-PI3K and p-AKT protein levels, further supporting its key position in the signaling regulatory network. This research provides experimental evidence for understanding the role of HOXA6 in the occurrence and development of liver cancer and also provides potential molecular targets for liver cancer treatment. The research achievements enrich the theoretical system of liver cancer molecular mechanism and have important value in basic research and clinical transformation.