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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Frontiers in Oncology

HAX1 in cancer: from molecular scaffolding to therapeutic targeting

  • Tonglin Sun1,2
  • Dan Xu1,2
  • Tianci Zhou3
  • Feng Luo1,2
  • Yan Zhang1,2
  1. 1Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University
  2. 2Lung Cancer Center/Lung Cancer Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University
  3. 3Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University
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Abstract

HCLS1-associated protein X-1 (HAX1) is widely expressed in human tissues and was first identified as a binding partner of hematopoietic cell-specific protein 1. Through interactions with proteins and RNAs, HAX1 regulates gene expression and contributes to cell survival and cytoskeletal remodeling. Recent studies have reported increased HAX1 expression in several malignant tumors, including breast, gastric, colorectal, and other cancers, where it promotes cell survival, proliferation, migration, and invasion. It also supports angiogenesis, hypoxic adaptation, and resistance to anticancer treatment. Noncoding RNAs and ubiquitination regulate HAX1 abundance and molecular state, influencing its cellular functions. Clinical evidence links HAX1 expression and subcellular localization to aggressive clinicopathological features and poor patient outcomes. This supports HAX1 as both a prognostic biomarker and a therapeutic target. This review summarizes the molecular characteristics and regulation of HAX1, and examines how its interactions contribute to tumor progression. It also discusses the implications for cancer prognosis and treatment. Future research should focus on clinical validation and further investigation of HAX1 interactions to guide selective therapeutic targeting.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{sun2026hax1,
  title = {{HAX1 in cancer: from molecular scaffolding to therapeutic targeting}},
  author = {Tonglin Sun and Dan Xu and Tianci Zhou and Feng Luo and Yan Zhang},
  journal = {Frontiers in Oncology},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/fonc.2026.2000988},
  url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2026.2000988/full},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - HAX1 in cancer: from molecular scaffolding to therapeutic targeting
AU  - Tonglin Sun
AU  - Dan Xu
AU  - Tianci Zhou
AU  - Feng Luo
AU  - Yan Zhang
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/21
JO  - Frontiers in Oncology
DO  - 10.3389/fonc.2026.2000988
UR  - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2026.2000988/full
AB  - HCLS1-associated protein X-1 (HAX1) is widely expressed in human tissues and was first identified as a binding partner of hematopoietic cell-specific protein 1. Through interactions with proteins and RNAs, HAX1 regulates gene expression and contributes to cell survival and cytoskeletal remodeling. Recent studies have reported increased HAX1 expression in several malignant tumors, including breast, gastric, colorectal, and other cancers, where it promotes cell survival, proliferation, migration, and invasion. It also supports angiogenesis, hypoxic adaptation, and resistance to anticancer treatment. Noncoding RNAs and ubiquitination regulate HAX1 abundance and molecular state, influencing its cellular functions. Clinical evidence links HAX1 expression and subcellular localization to aggressive clinicopathological features and poor patient outcomes. This supports HAX1 as both a prognostic biomarker and a therapeutic target. This review summarizes the molecular characteristics and regulation of HAX1, and examines how its interactions contribute to tumor progression. It also discusses the implications for cancer prognosis and treatment. Future research should focus on clinical validation and further investigation of HAX1 interactions to guide selective therapeutic targeting.
SN  - 2234-943X
ER  -