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Updated: Jan 13, 2026
03:36
Development of Compendium for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 12, 2024
756
PAK5 Promotes Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression Revealed by Transcriptomic Profiling
Yue Zeng1, Chuanji Zhou2, Xingqun Cai3
1Cancer Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University; zengyue@muhn.edu.cn.
Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove
|January 6, 2026
Summary
P21-activated protein kinase 5 (PAK5) is elevated in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), promoting cancer progression. PAK5 may serve as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for ESCC patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) presents a significant global health challenge, with high mortality rates, especially in Asia.
- Late-stage diagnosis due to asymptomatic early stages limits treatment options and patient prognosis.
- Identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets is critical for advancing ESCC management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role and clinical significance of P21-activated protein kinase 5 (PAK5) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
- To explore PAK5 as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for ESCC.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to assess PAK5 expression in ESCC tissues versus normal tissues.
- Kaplan-Meier survival analysis evaluated the correlation between PAK5 expression and patient prognosis.
- Functional assays (CCK-8, colony formation, Transwell) and mRNA sequencing were performed on ESCC cell models with altered PAK5 levels.
Main Results:
- PAK5 expression was significantly upregulated in ESCC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues.
- Elevated PAK5 levels correlated with poorer patient prognosis in ESCC.
- PAK5 overexpression enhanced ESCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while knockdown inhibited these processes.
- mRNA sequencing identified GAREM1 as a key downstream effector regulated by PAK5.
Conclusions:
- PAK5 plays a crucial role in promoting the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
- PAK5 represents a promising prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for ESCC.
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