TXNIP in cancer: Unlocking biological insights and tackling clinical challenges

Cancer remains a major global health challenge and one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Its development and progression involve complex genetic and molecular alterations, including the activation of oncogenes, as well as the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs). These TSGs play critical roles in regulating cell cycle, genomic stability, and apoptotic pathways, with their dysfunction widely contributing to tumorigenesis and therapy response. Among the TSGs, Thioredoxin Interacting Protein (TXNIP) has gained attention as a key regulator with multifaceted roles in cancer biology. Mechanistic insights have identified TXNIP as a broad-acting protein involved in a variety of cellular responses, including oxidative stress, metabolism, immune regulation, and tumor suppression. This literature review critically examines the emerging clinical and experimental evidence of TXNIP’s functions in cancer, with a particular focus on breast cancer, the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in women. Furthermore, it explores promising therapeutic advances aimed at restoring TXNIP tumor-suppressive functions to slow cancer progression and improving patient outcomes.