Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42449967›Full record

ReviewInternational journal of molecular sciences2026

The Janus Face of sFRP4 in Cancer: From Mechanistic Complexity to Therapeutic Potential.

Lingqun Yu, Fei Fang, Minpu Zhang, Ye Li, Mingzhen Li, Changgang Sun, Jing Zhuang, Cun Liu

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in International journal of molecular sciences, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Lingqun YuCollege of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang 261000, China.ORCID 0009-0002-9605-796X
Fei FangCollege of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang 261000, China.
Minpu ZhangFaculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China.ORCID 0009-0007-4886-654X
Ye LiCollege of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang 261000, China.
Mingzhen LiCollege of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang 261000, China.
Changgang SunCollege of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang 261000, China.ORCID 0000-0003-0778-8788
Jing ZhuangCollege of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang 261000, China.
Cun LiuCollege of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang 261000, China.ORCID 0000-0001-8197-9000

Funding

China Association of Chinese Medicine Young Talent Support Project CACM-2024-QNRC2-A04Innovative Drug Research and Development National Science and Technology Major Project 2025ZD1800600the Graduate Student Research Grant from Shandong Second Medical University 2025YJSCX007the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province ZR2024QH052the Youth Innovation Team Development Program for Higher Education Institutions in Shandong Province 2023KJ256
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (sFRP4) has traditionally been regarded as a Wnt antagonist with tumor-suppressive properties. However, growing evidence indicates that its role in cancer is far more complex and highly context-dependent. Depending on tumor type, molecular subtype, epigenetic state, and microenvironmental conditions, sFRP4 may exert either inhibitory or tumor-promoting effects. This functional heterogeneity has important implications for understanding cancer biology and for evaluating the clinical relevance of sFRP4. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of the structural features, regulatory mechanisms, and signaling functions of sFRP4, and discuss how these factors shape its diverse roles across malignancies. We further examine its potential significance in diagnosis, prognosis, therapeutic stratification, and systemic metabolic regulation. A clearer understanding of the context-specific behavior of sFRP4 may help refine its value as a biomarker and support the development of more precise and mechanism-informed therapeutic strategies.

Indexed as

NeoplasmsProto-Oncogene ProteinsAnimalsEpigenesis, GeneticGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticHumansSecreted Frizzled-Related ProteinsWnt Signaling PathwayProto-Oncogene ProteinsSecreted Frizzled-Related ProteinsSFRP4 protein, humancancerepigenetic regulationfunctional dualitysFRP4Wnt signaling

Identifiers

PMID42449967
PMCPMC13362161

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.