ZBTB7A as a therapeutic target for cancer

ZBTB7A, alternatively referred to Pokemon, FBI-1, LRF, and OCZF, is classified as a member of POK/ZBTB protein family of transcriptional repressors. ZBTB7A binds to targeted DNA via C-terminal zinc fingers and recruits co-compression complexes through N-terminal BTB ⁄ POZ domain to impede transcription. ZBTB7A regulates a range of fundamental biological processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, B- and T-lymphocyte fate determination and thymic insulin expression and self-tolerance. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated an important role of ZBTB7A in the initiation and advancement of tumors, thus making ZBTB7A emerge as an appealing target. This review examines the functions and regulatory mechanisms of ZBTB7A in a range of common solid tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer, as well as hematological malignancies. Notably, the review concludes with a summary of the recent applications of targeting ZBTB7A in clinical treatments through gene silencing, immunotherapy and chemotherapeutic approaches to halt or slow tumor progression. We focus on the functional role and regulatory mechanisms of ZBTB7A in cancer with the goal of providing new insights for the development of more effective cancer therapeutic strategies.