ILF2 (interleukin enhancer binding factor 2) is a multifunctional RNA-binding protein that regulates gene expression and cellular metabolism across multiple pathways. ILF2 frequently forms a heterodimeric complex with ILF3 to modulate mRNA stability and transcriptional regulation 1. The protein functions as a transcriptional regulator by binding to specific genomic loci, as demonstrated in keratinocyte wound healing where ILF2 relocates from inflammatory gene loci to promote tissue repair 2. ILF2 also acts as an mRNA stabilizer, directly binding to and preventing degradation of target transcripts including CDK4 3 and FTO 4. In cancer contexts, ILF2 expression is significantly upregulated in multiple malignancies including esophageal, lung, and gastric cancers, where it promotes tumor development, cell proliferation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition 5. Notably, ILF2 has emerged as a specific therapeutic target in breast cancer brain metastases, with experimental validation showing that ILF2 deficiency impairs metastatic progression 6. The protein's role in metabolic regulation is exemplified through the LINC00571/HNRNPK/ILF2/IDH2 axis, which drives tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolism in triple-negative breast cancer 7. These diverse functions position ILF2 as both a potential biomarker and therapeutic target across various malignancies.