OCT-4

Octomer binding transcription factor-4 (OCT-4) is a member of the POU transcription factor family, which is an important regulatory factor in embryonic development, involved in maintaining pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells. OCT-4 is normally present in embryonic stem cells and germ cells during the embryonic stage. So in clinical practice, it can serve as a diagnostic biomarker and potential prognostic factor for embryonic tumors and reproductive system tumors, including seminoma, ovarian dysgerminoma, embryonal carcinoma, etc. In addition, some studies have shown that OCT-4 is involved in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of cancer stem cells (CSCs), and CSCs play a crucial role in various tumor activities such as renewal, infiltration, metastasis, and drug resistance. Therefore, OCT-4 has important guiding significance in treatment plan customization and prognosis evaluation of multiple malignant diseases such as lung cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer.