The Wnt signaling pathway: a potential therapeutic target against cancer

Abstract

The role of the evolutionarily conserved Wnt signaling pathway is well documented in several cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, cell motility, and maintenance of the stem cell niche. The very first indication that aberrant Wnt signaling can cause carcinogenesis came from a finding that the mutation of the adenomatous polyposis coli gene (APC) predisposes a person to colorectal carcinoma. Later, with progressing research it became clear that abnormal activation or mutation of the genes related to this pathway could drive tumorigenesis. Here, we review recent advances in research regarding Wnt signaling regulation and its role in several cancer subtypes. Additionally, the utility of Wnt pathway-targeted cancer therapy intervention is also highlighted, with an overview of current approaches to target the Wnt pathway in oncogenesis and the future scopes and challenges associated with them.

Keywords: Wnt; cancer; targeted cancer therapy; β-catenin.