The p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) is a serine/threonine kinase belonging to the PAK family, which plays critical roles in regulating cytoskeletal dynamics, cell survival, proliferation, and migration. PAK4 is activated by Rho GTPases, particularly CDC42 and RAC1. and is involved in key signaling pathways such as MAPK, Wnt/β-catenin, and PI3K/AKT. Overexpression or hyperactivation of PAK4 has been implicated in various cancers, including breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancers, where it promotes tumor growth, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Its role in cancer progression has made PAK4 a potential therapeutic target and biomarker.
PAK4-specific antibodies are essential tools for studying its expression, localization, and functional mechanisms in both normal and pathological contexts. These antibodies enable the detection of PAK4 in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF), aiding in cancer diagnosis and research. Additionally, PAK4-targeting therapeutic antibodies are under preclinical investigation for their ability to inhibit oncogenic signaling or deliver cytotoxic agents selectively to PAK4-overexpressing cells. Recent studies also explore PAK4's involvement in non-cancerous conditions, such as neurological disorders and immune dysregulation, broadening its biomedical relevance. Despite progress, challenges remain in understanding PAK4's context-dependent roles and optimizing antibody-based therapies for clinical use.