Bone marrow kinase X-linked in pulmonary diseases: pathogenic gene, diagnostic biomarker, and treatment target-a narrative review.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

Lung-related diseases impose a substantial global health burden, yet effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies remain limited. Bone marrow kinase X-linked (BMX), a Tec family non-receptor tyrosine kinase, is increasingly recognized as a critical player in pulmonary pathophysiology. This review aims to systematically evaluate BMX's roles in major lung diseases, clarify its mechanisms, assess its biomarker and therapeutic potential, and identify key knowledge gaps.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus up to December 2025 using keywords related to BMX and pulmonary diseases, with additional references identified from article bibliographies.

KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS: BMX is implicated in pneumonia, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, and lung cancer via PI3K/AKT, MAPK/ERK, NF‑κB, and TGF‑β/Smad pathways, regulating inflammation, fibrosis, cell survival, and metastasis. BMX expression correlates with disease severity and prognosis, supporting its biomarker potential. Preclinical studies show that BMX inhibitors reduce disease severity in animal models, but clinical translation is hampered by lack of specific biomarkers, limited trials, and challenges in selectivity and resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

This review synthesizes current knowledge on BMX in pulmonary diseases, highlighting its pathogenic, diagnostic, and therapeutic significance. By outlining current gaps and future directions, it provides a foundation for developing BMX‑targeted precision medicine to ultimately improve patient outcomes.