New research highlights the complex role of the EI24 gene in cancer, showing that it can act either as a tumor suppressor or, in some cases, support tumor growth. EI24 is activated by the p53 tumor suppressor when DNA is damaged and plays a key role in autophagy and programmed cell death—two processes that help eliminate abnormal cells. Because of these functions, scientists are increasingly studying EI24 as both a diagnostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target.
In most cancers, EI24 levels are reduced, allowing tumors to grow and spread. Low expression has been linked to chemotherapy resistance in breast cancer and poor survival in digestive cancers such as esophageal and colorectal cancer. In liver cancer, EI24 is actively broken down by other proteins, promoting tumor progression. However, in certain cancers—including some skin, head and neck, pancreatic, and lung cancers—EI24 may instead help cancer cells survive or activate growth-related signaling pathways, highlighting its context-dependent behavior.
Clinically, differences in EI24 levels between normal and cancer tissues make it a promising marker for early detection and prognosis. Its expression may also predict response to targeted therapies such as gefitinib in lung cancer, and emerging evidence suggests it could influence immune responses to tumors. While its role is becoming clearer in breast and lung cancers, researchers say more studies—especially in gastric cancer—are needed to unlock its full potential in precision medicine.