Activation of Hedgehog Signaling in Human Cancer

摘要: Hedgehog gene was first described in Drosophila 1980 by Nobel laureates Drs. E. Wieschaus and C. Nusslein-Volhard. Over the past three decades, hedgehog pathway has been shown to be a major regulator for cell differentiation, tissue polarity, proliferation, stem maintenance, carcinogenesis. The link of Hh signaling human cancer established 1996 through studies rare familiar disease, Gorlin syndrome. Follow-up from many laboratories reveal activation this range types, including basal carcinomas (BCCs), medulloblastomas, leukemia, gastrointestinal, lung, ovarian, breast, prostate cancers. Targeted inhibition is now believed effective treatment prevention cancer. Even more exciting discovery synthesis variety specific inhibitors pathway. In review, we summarize advances our understanding cancer, useful mouse models studying Hh-mediated carcinogenesis, roles tumor initiation, promotion, metastasis, maintenance as well antagonists their clinical implications.