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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
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Quantitative PCR-based Assay to Measure Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Cellular Model of Ciliogenesis
Published on: January 31, 2025
Hedgehog signalling in skin development and cancer
Mohammad Athar1, Xiuwei Tang, Juliette L Lee
1Department of Dermatology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. ma493@columbia.edu
Experimental Dermatology
|August 3, 2006
Summary
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) development is linked to the hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. Understanding Hh pathway mutations aids in BCC chemoprevention and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common human cancer.
- The hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is crucial for embryonic development and skin stem cell maintenance.
- Hh pathway activation is implicated in various neoplasms, including skin cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of the sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway in skin development and carcinogenesis.
- To summarize findings on Hh pathway genes (PTCH, Shh, Smo) in BCC.
- To discuss animal models and chemoprevention strategies for BCC.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of published studies on the Shh pathway in skin cancer.
- Analysis of genetic mutations activating the Hh pathway.
- Summary of research on BCC chemoprevention.
Main Results:
- Mutations in Hh pathway genes (PTCH, Shh, Smo) are key to BCC development.
- The Shh pathway is vital for skin development but aberrantly activated in BCC.
- Animal models and chemoprevention studies offer insights into BCC management.
Conclusions:
- The Shh pathway plays a significant role in skin development and BCC.
- Understanding Hh pathway genetics provides a basis for targeted BCC therapies.
- Molecularly targeted chemoprevention and treatment strategies for BCC are emerging.
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