STXBP6 regulates growth, metastasis and lipid metabolism of ovarian cancer cells via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the primary cause of mortality related to cancers of the female reproductive system. Early diagnosis remains a major challenge, contributing to a high mortality rate and underscoring an urgent need for novel diagnostic approaches and effective therapeutic strategies. Here, we identify Syntaxin binding protein 6 (STXBP6) as a previously unrecognized oncogenic driver in OC. We demonstrate that STXBP6 expression is markedly elevated in OC tissues and cells and that it promotes OC growth and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. RNA sequencing revealed that STXBP6 reprograms lipid metabolism, and mechanistic studies confirmed that it enhances OC progression through fatty acid oxidation (FAO). Moreover, activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was essential for STXBP6-driven FAO and malignant phenotypes. These findings uncover a novel STXBP6/PI3K/AKT axis, providing new insights into OC metabolic reprogramming and potential therapeutic targets.