HOXA6 is a sequence-specific transcription factor that regulates anterior-posterior pattern specification during development 1. As part of the homeobox A cluster, HOXA6 is preferentially expressed in primitive hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells where it promotes cell proliferation and self-renewal 2. HOXA6 functions as both a developmental regulator and an oncogenic factor across multiple cancer types. In myelodysplastic syndrome, HOXA6 forms part of aberrant gene regulatory networks specifically active in disease cells, suggesting direct involvement in malignant transformation 1. In gastric cancer, HOXA6 overexpression promotes cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through interaction with PBX2, and correlates with poor survival outcomes 3. Similarly, HOXA6 is highly expressed and functionally involved in low-grade glioma progression 4. In bladder cancer, HOXA6 mediates DDR1-driven progression by inhibiting ferroptosis 5. Conversely, HOXA6 expression is typically silenced in colorectal and meningiomas through promoter hypermethylation, with methylation status serving as a diagnostic biomarker [PMID:31165042; 62]. In oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain, HOXA6 upregulation through TET1-mediated demethylation of SOX10 contributes to pain pathogenesis 7. These findings establish HOXA6 as a context-dependent regulator with significant roles in hematopoiesis, developmental patterning, and cancer biology.