In addition, the underlying mechanisms and potential clinical applications of BEX family proteins involved in various cancers were highlighted.<h4>Key scientific concepts of review</h4>The BEX family proteins plays an important role in a variety of biological processes, including inhibiting the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells, and participating in various biological processes such as cell differentiation, cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis. This evidence concerns the gene BEX3 and cancer.