IRX1 and cancer: ABCB5 is predominantly expressed in melanocytes and studies have indicated its involvement in tumor progression and resistance to various drugs in malignant tumors, including melanoma.[31,32] It affects the proliferative activity of melanoma cells and participates in VM.[33] Additionally, ABCB5 has been shown to promote tumor invasion by regulating EMT-related transcription factors.[29] IRX1 is one of the 6 members of the Iroquois homeobox gene family.