B4galnt4, also known as β-1,4-N-Acetyl-galactosaminyltransferase 4, is an enzyme involved in ganglioside synthesis and is responsible for synthesizing GalNAcβ1-4GlcNAc (LacdiNAc or LDN), a subterminal glycan structure. This structure is involved in the clearance of N-glycoproteins from the blood and maintenance of cell stemness [2].

In esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), knockdown of B4galnt4 significantly suppressed the proliferation, invasion, migration, and adhesion of ESCC cell lines. High B4galnt4 mRNA and protein expression were associated with poor disease-free survival, hematogenous recurrence, and poor disease-specific survival, making it an independent predictor of poor prognosis [1]. In prostate cancer, B4galnt4 was identified as a potential cuproptosis-related oncogene, and a prognostic signature including B4galnt4 was constructed to predict prognosis and guide clinical decision-making [3]. Also, it was part of a novel prognostic model for prostate cancer based on androgen biosynthetic and catabolic pathways [4].

In conclusion, B4galnt4 plays a role in the synthesis of a unique glycan structure and is important in maintaining normal biological functions related to glycoprotein clearance and cell stemness. Its overexpression is associated with poor prognosis in ESCC and prostate cancer, highlighting its potential as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target in these malignancies.