Research Progress of Transcription Factor KLF4 in Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. While our understanding of the molecular events in the lung cancers are poor. In this report, we reviewed the current studies on a transcription factor named Krüppel-like Factor 4(KLF4) in lung cancer. Tissue studies showed that KLF4 expression was significantly decreased in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), while significant over expression in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). On the cellular level of lung cancer, KLF4 regulate p21, SPARC, vimentin, b-catenin, VEGF-A, and cyclin D1, and it may enhance the lung tumor formation combined with K-ras mutation. Moreover, Numbl, NLK, Interleukin-27, miR-7, miR-10b, and miR-29, HOTAIR and HIF were able to regulate the KLF4 expression. We suggest that more understanding of the mode of KLF4 actions and its functional networks may lead to the development of novel therapeutics to improve current prospects for lung cancer prevention and cure.