TY - JOUR AB - Forkhead box K2 (FOXK2) is a central transcriptional regulator of embryonic development and cell homeostasis. Since its discovery, evidence has shown that FOXK2 mediates a variety of biological processes involving in genomic stability, DNA repair, cancer stem cell maintenance, cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell metabolism. The inherent structural characteristics of FOXK2 enable it as a transcriptional factor (TF) to cooperate with other active molecules in cancer development. FOXK2 mediates several significant chromatin events that are necessary for some chromatin accessibility and protein‑protein interaction. FOXK2 is involved in the pathogenesis of a number of types of cancer as an oncoprotein or tumor suppressor depending on its interactive partners. Therefore, the loss of FOXK2 and its functions directly or indirectly affect the fate of cells. FOXK2 expresses differentially in a number of types of cancer and is involved in a number of aspects of carcinogenesis. However, its roles in tumorigenesis remain largely unexplored. The present review focused on the latest findings and evidence on the broad roles and possible mediating mechanisms of FOXK2 in carcinogenesis. The recent findings about FOXK2 may shed light on the direction of future FOXK2 research in tumorigenesis. AD - Department of Hematology, Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261031, P.R. China AU - Wang,Zhaojun AU - Liu,Xinling AU - Wang,Zhanju AU - Hu,Zhenbo DA - 2022/12/01 DO - 10.3892/ol.2022.13581 IS - 6 JO - Oncol Lett KW - forkhead box K2 transcription factor tumorigenesis oncogene cancer hallmarks PY - 2022 SN - 1792-1074 1792-1082 SP - 461 ST - FOXK2 transcription factor and its roles in tumorigenesis (Review) T2 - Oncology Letters TI - FOXK2 transcription factor and its roles in tumorigenesis (Review) UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2022.13581 VL - 24 ER -