Abstract

Cancer, a leading cause of global mortality, remains a significant challenge to increasing life expectancy worldwide. Forkhead Box R2 (FOXR2), identified as an oncogene within the FOX gene family, plays a crucial role in developing various endoderm-derived organs. Recent studies have elucidated FOXR2-related pathways and their involvement in both tumor and non-tumor diseases. Dysregulation of FOXR2 has been linked to numerous malignant tumors, spanning the brain, nervous system, thyroid, osteosarcoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, colorectal, liver, pancreatic, lung, breast, ovarian, prostate, female genital tract, endometrial, and uterine cancers. Despite extensive research on FOXR2 dysregulation, its practical applications remain underexplored. This review delves into the mechanisms underlying FOXR2 dysregulation during oncogenesis and its implications for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. © 2025 The Authors.