Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer death worldwide. As in many other types of cancer, aberrant activation of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is an important contributor to tumorigenesis. In HCC this frequently occurs through mutations in the N-terminal region of β-catenin that stabilize the protein and permit an elevated level of constitutive transcriptional activation by β-catenin/TCF complexes. In this article we review the abundant evidence that Wnt/β-catenin signaling contributes to liver carcinogenesis. We also discuss what is known about the roles of Wnt signaling in liver development, regeneration, and stem cell behavior, in an effort to understand the mechanisms by which activation of the canonical Wnt pathway promotes tumor formation in this organ. The Wnt/β- catenin pathway presents itself as an attractive target for developing novel rational therapies for HCC, a disease for which few successful treatment strategies are currently available.
Keywords: Liver Cancer, Wnt Signaling, Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), tumorigenesis, β-catenin/TCF complexes, stem cell
Current Drug Targets
Title: Wnt Signaling in Liver Cancer
Volume: 9 Issue: 11
Author(s): Yutaka Takigawa and Anthony M.C. Brown
Affiliation:
Keywords: Liver Cancer, Wnt Signaling, Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), tumorigenesis, β-catenin/TCF complexes, stem cell
Abstract: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer death worldwide. As in many other types of cancer, aberrant activation of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is an important contributor to tumorigenesis. In HCC this frequently occurs through mutations in the N-terminal region of β-catenin that stabilize the protein and permit an elevated level of constitutive transcriptional activation by β-catenin/TCF complexes. In this article we review the abundant evidence that Wnt/β-catenin signaling contributes to liver carcinogenesis. We also discuss what is known about the roles of Wnt signaling in liver development, regeneration, and stem cell behavior, in an effort to understand the mechanisms by which activation of the canonical Wnt pathway promotes tumor formation in this organ. The Wnt/β- catenin pathway presents itself as an attractive target for developing novel rational therapies for HCC, a disease for which few successful treatment strategies are currently available.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Takigawa Yutaka and Brown M.C. Anthony, Wnt Signaling in Liver Cancer, Current Drug Targets 2008; 9 (11) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138945008786786127
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138945008786786127 |
Print ISSN 1389-4501 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-5592 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Drug-Targeted Approach with Polymer Nanocomposites for Improved Therapeutics
Polymer nanocomposites have been recognized as an advanced and cutting-edge technique in drug targeting administration. These materials combine the unique features of nanoparticles with the adaptability of polymers to produce highly personalized drug administration devices. Integrating nanoparticles containing pharmaceuticals into a polymer matrix enables researchers to regulate the rates at ...read more
RNA Molecules in the Treatment of Human Diseases
Messenger and non-coding RNAs, including long and small transcripts, are mediators of gene expression. Gene expression at the RNA level shows significant aberrations in human diseases, including cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders. Human transcripts serve either as biomarkers of diagnosis, prognosis, prediction of treatment response, and/or therapy ...read more
Therapeutic Chemical and RNA Design with Artificial Intelligence
Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD) has emerged as a fundamental component of modern drug discovery. Molecular docking facilitates virtual screening on a large scale through structural simulations. However, traditional CADD approaches face significant limitations, as they can only screen known compounds from existing libraries. PubChem, as the most widely used chemical ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Therapeutic Potential of Essential Oil-based Microemulsions: Reviewing State-of-the-art
Current Drug Delivery Fibrates in the Chemical Action of Daunorubicin
Current Cancer Drug Targets The Immunomodulatory Potential of Selected Bioactive Plant-Based Compounds in Breast Cancer: A Review
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Liposomes Containing Gadodiamide: Preparation, Physicochemical Characterization, and In Vitro Cytotoxic Evaluation
Current Drug Delivery Anti-Apoptotic Mechanisms of Drug Resistance in Cancer
Current Cancer Drug Targets Helicobacter Pylori, Zinc and Iron in Oxidative Stress-Induced Injury of Gastric Mucosa
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Preparation and Characterization of Silymarin Synchronized and Sustained Release Dropping Pill
Current Drug Delivery Cancer Stem Cells: Current Status and Therapeutic Implications in Cancer Therapy-A New Paradigm
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Effects of Exosomes on Major Pathways Promote Tumor Formation and Progression
Current Molecular Medicine Clinical Use of Therapies Targeting Tumor Vasculature and Stroma
Current Cancer Drug Targets Therapeutic Challenges in Neuroendocrine Tumors
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Pharmacokinetics and Biotransformation of Tea Polyphenols
Current Drug Metabolism QRPR and HCQRPQ, Two Peptides from Soybean, have an Inhibitory Effect on the Proliferation of HepG2 Cells
Protein & Peptide Letters Recent Developments of Rebeccamycin Analogues as Topoisomerase I Inhibitors and Antitumor Agents.
Current Medicinal Chemistry Biology and Medicinal Chemistry Approaches Towards Various Apoptosis Inducers
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Dendrimer-Based Contrast Agents for Molecular Imaging
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Remodeling of the Gut Microbiota in Colorectal Cancer and its Association with Obesity
Current Pharmaceutical Design ATRA Entrapped in DSPC Liposome Enhances Anti-metastasis Effect on Lung and Liver During B16F10 Cell Line Metastasis in C57BL6 Mice
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Overview of Medicinally Important Diterpenoids Derived from Plastids
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Clinical Relevance of Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres in Cancer
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry