The Role and Therapeutic Potential of ARSB Gene in Tumor Development

Arylsulfatase B (ARSB), also known as N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase, is a lysosomal enzyme specifically involved in the degradation of chondroitin sulfate and dermatan sulfate. In recent years, studies have demonstrated that ARSB plays multifaceted roles in tumor extracellular matrix remodeling, signal transduction, and immune regulation. Across different cancer types, ARSB exhibits heterogeneous expression patterns and displays tumor type–dependent dual regulatory functions. Mechanistically, ARSB modulates multiple signaling pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/AKT, and MAPK, and influences PD-L1 expression, thereby participating in tumor proliferation, invasion, and immune evasion. This review systematically summarizes the gene structure and biological functions of ARSB, its roles across various cancer types, prognostic value based on TCGA pan-cancer data,and discusses therapeutic strategies such as enzyme replacement therapy and gene therapy, highlighting its potential as a target for personalized cancer treatment.