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Review
. 2014 Sep 11:2:28.
doi: 10.1186/2052-8426-2-28. eCollection 2014.

Targeting the Wnt pathways for therapies

Artem Blagodatski  1 , Dmitry Poteryaev  2 , Vladimir L Katanaev  3
Affiliations
Review

Targeting the Wnt pathways for therapies

Artem Blagodatski et al. Mol Cell Ther. .

Abstract

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is crucial in animal development from sponges to humans. Its activity in the adulthood is less general, with exceptions having huge medical importance. Namely, improper activation of this pathway is carcinogenic in many tissues, most notably in the colon, liver and the breast. On the other hand, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling must be re-activated in cases of tissue damage, and insufficient activation results in regeneration failure and degeneration. These both medically important implications are unified by the emerging importance of this signaling pathway in the control of proliferation of various types of stem cells, crucial for tissue regeneration and, in case of cancer stem cells - cancer progression and relapse. This article aims at briefly reviewing the current state of knowledge in the field of Wnt signaling, followed by a detailed discussion of current medical developments targeting distinct branches of the Wnt pathway for anti-cancer and pro-regeneration therapies.

Keywords: Cancer; Drug discovery; Frizzled; Regeneration; Wnt.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and the oncology-indication drug candidates discussed in the paper. The molecular targets (where known) of the small molecule and antibody-based drug candidates are shown.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic representation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and the regeneration therapy drug candidates discussed in the paper. The molecular targets (where known) of the small molecule and antibody-based drug candidates are shown.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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