The plakin family: Potential therapeutic targets for digestive system tumors

Digestive system tumors remain a global health challenge; however, the mechanisms underlying their tumorigenesis remain unclear. Identifying these mechanisms may facilitate early detection and more effective treatment. Members of the plakin family play crucial roles in cytoskeletal integrity and cell adhesion. Moreover, they regulate key cellular processes implicated in tumor development, including tumor cell migration, proliferation, and signaling. Therefore, exploring the potential roles of the plakin family members in digestive system tumors has attracted increasing attention. In this review, we provide a comprehensive examination of the biological characteristics of the plakin family members and an in-depth analysis of their clinicopathological significance and clinical implications in digestive system tumors. In summary, the plakin family is a translationally valuable diagnostic marker and a potential therapeutic target for digestive system tumors.