HOXA9 and cancer: The HOXA9 transcription factor interacts with PBX/MEIS cofactors and regulates multiple genes involved in cancer-associated EMT, autophagy, the cell cycle, metabolic pathways, Wnt signaling, TGF-β signaling, the AMPK pathway, PI3K/AKT signaling, and NF-κB signaling, thereby establishing control over downstream mechanisms.