SOX9 and neoplasm: The present study aimed to summarize the expression patterns, molecular mechanism and clinical relevance of SOX protein in NSCLC, with emphasis on SOX2, SOX4 and SOX9 (implicated in critical oncogenic processes, including cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, stemness maintenance, and chemoresistance (18–21), their role in tumor progression, stem cells and drug resistance, as well as their potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.