Abstract
The hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway, which is almost completely silenced in normal adult tissues but highly activated in cancer, offers ideal drug targets for small molecule development. During the last few years, several studies have indicated that the Hh pathway plays a role in tumor development and maintenance, and novel drugs inhibiting Hh signaling have been discovered. Although results from clinical trials in patients harboring activating mutations of Hh have been promising, there are many controversies regarding the role of the pathway in tumors that demonstrate ligand over-expression without identified mutations. In this review, we focus on the function and expression of the Hh pathway in different tumors and discuss the targeting approaches tested in preclinical and clinical studies.
Keywords: Cancer, hedgehog pathway, target therapy.
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Hijacking the Hedgehog Pathway in Cancer Therapy
Volume: 16 Issue: 3
Author(s): Mikko O. Laukkanen and Maria Domenica Castellone
Affiliation:
Keywords: Cancer, hedgehog pathway, target therapy.
Abstract: The hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway, which is almost completely silenced in normal adult tissues but highly activated in cancer, offers ideal drug targets for small molecule development. During the last few years, several studies have indicated that the Hh pathway plays a role in tumor development and maintenance, and novel drugs inhibiting Hh signaling have been discovered. Although results from clinical trials in patients harboring activating mutations of Hh have been promising, there are many controversies regarding the role of the pathway in tumors that demonstrate ligand over-expression without identified mutations. In this review, we focus on the function and expression of the Hh pathway in different tumors and discuss the targeting approaches tested in preclinical and clinical studies.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Laukkanen O. Mikko and Castellone Domenica Maria, Hijacking the Hedgehog Pathway in Cancer Therapy, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2016; 16 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871520615666151007160439
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871520615666151007160439 |
Print ISSN 1871-5206 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5992 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Induction of cell death in cancer cells by modulating telomerase activity using small molecule drugs
Telomeres are distinctive but short stretches present at the corners of chromosomes and aid in stabilizing chromosomal makeup. Resynthesis of telomeres supported by the activity of reverse transcriptase ribonucleoprotein complex telomerase. There is no any telomerase activity in human somatic cells, but the stem cells and germ cells undergone telomerase ...read more
Role of natural compounds as anti anti-cancer agents
Cancer is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy remains an important approach in treatment o f several types of cancers, even though ...read more
Signaling and enzymatic modulators in cancer treatment
Cancer accounts for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022 and is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are the most important approach for the treatment of several ...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
-
F508del-CFTR Rescue: A Matter of Cell Stress Response
Current Pharmaceutical Design Genes Involved in Hereditary Hearing Impairment
Current Genomics In Vitro Intestinal Co-Culture Cell Model to Evaluate Intestinal Absorption of Edelfosine Lipid Nanoparticles
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry New Insights into the Mechanism of Action of Aspirin in the Prevention of Colorectal Neoplasia
Current Pharmaceutical Design STAT3 Activation in Circulating Monocytes Contributes to Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Current Molecular Medicine Growth Hormone Secretagogue (Ghrelin-) Receptors - A Complex Drug Target for the Regulation of Body Weight
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Presence of Intratumoral Stem Cells in Breast Cancer Patients with or without BRCA Germline Mutations
Current Cancer Drug Targets Poly(ADP-ribosylation) and Neoplastic Transformation: Effect of PARP Inhibitors
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology miR-342-5p as a Potential Regulator of HER2 Breast Cancer Cell Growth
MicroRNA Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component 1 and its Accomplice: Emerging Therapeutic Targets in Lung Cancer
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Therapeutic Vaccines for Cervical Cancer: Dendritic Cell-Based Immunotherapy
Current Pharmaceutical Design TGF-Beta Type I Receptor (Alk5) Kinase Inhibitors in Oncology
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Monoclonal Antibody Therapies Targeting Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Current Drug Discovery Technologies Marine Derived Bioactive Compounds for Breast and Prostate Cancer Treatment: A Review
Current Bioactive Compounds Azathioprine in Multiple Sclerosis
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Alternative Splicing Regulation and Cell Lineage Differentiation
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy A Concise Update on the Relevance of Secretory Phospholipase A2 Group IIA and its Inhibitors with Cancer
Medicinal Chemistry Inhibition of TGF-β Signaling in Tumor Cells by Small Molecule Src Family Kinase Inhibitors
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Cancer Multitarget Pharmacology in Prostate Tumors: Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Beyond
Current Medicinal Chemistry CSPG4 in Cancer: Multiple Roles
Current Molecular Medicine