Role of the SOX Family in Cancer Immune Evasion: Emerging Player and Promising Therapeutic Opportunities

The SOX family of transcription factors, including SOX2, SOX4, and SOX9, plays a crucial role in cancer immune evasion by modulating immune-inhibitory cells and altering immune checkpoint molecules like PD-L1. These factors contribute to tumorigenesis and progression by creating an immune-suppressive environment, recruiting regulatory T cells (Tregs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and affecting antigen presentation, which helps tumors evade immune surveillance and resist immune-based therapies. Understanding these mechanisms presents promising therapeutic opportunities to target SOX proteins, potentially leading to novel treatments that restore immune system function and improve cancer therapy outcomes.