Future studies are required to assess the potential value of Oct4-pT235 as a diagnostic, prognostic, or predictive biomarker for certain types of human cancer, and to fully decipher the complete Akt-Oct4 interplay system in stem-like cancer cells which may be useful in revealing the intrinsic connection between self-renewal and the tumorigenesis of those cells, and in developing more effective interventions to eradicate or inhibit them. This evidence concerns the gene POU5F1 and cancer.