Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Quantitative PCR-based Assay to Measure Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Cellular Model of Ciliogenesis
07:26

Quantitative PCR-based Assay to Measure Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Cellular Model of Ciliogenesis

Published on: January 31, 2025

Hedgehog pathway inhibitors: a patent review (2009--present)

Matthew Kyle Hadden1

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, 69 N Eagleville Rd, Unit 3092, Storrs, CT 06269-3092, USA kyle.hadden@uconn.edu

Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents
|January 9, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Hedgehog (Hh) pathway inhibitors targeting smoothened (Smo) show promise for cancer treatment. Further research into upstream and downstream inhibitors is crucial to overcome resistance and understand signaling in malignancies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • The hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is vital for embryonic development, controlling cell growth and tissue patterning.
  • Aberrant Hh signaling is implicated in various human cancers, making it a target for anti-cancer drug development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent patent literature (2009-2012) on hedgehog pathway inhibitors for treating human malignancies.
  • To analyze current strategies and identify future directions for Hh pathway inhibitor development.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of patent literature concerning Hh pathway inhibitors.
  • Analysis of drug development programs and high-throughput screening data.
  • Examination of clinical trial data for pathway inhibitors.

Main Results:

  • Most clinically investigated Hh pathway inhibitors target the transmembrane protein smoothened (Smo).
  • Smo inhibitors have demonstrated initial promise in preclinical and clinical studies.
  • Emerging resistance mechanisms to Smo inhibitors have been identified.

Conclusions:

  • Despite resistance, the majority of patented Hh pathway inhibitors still target Smo.
  • Development of inhibitors targeting upstream or downstream components of the Hh pathway is necessary.
  • Further research is warranted to combat resistance and elucidate Hh pathway roles in normal and oncogenic signaling.

More Related Videos

Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis06:53

Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis

Published on: August 21, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Hedgehog Signaling Pathway02:33

Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway02:33

Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
Phosphoinositides and PIPs01:42

Phosphoinositides and PIPs

Phosphoinositides are a group of phospholipids containing a glycerol backbone with two fatty acid chains and a phosphate attached to a myoinositol sugar ring. The inositol head group extends into the cytoplasm, where it is modified by adding phosphate groups to form phosphatidylinositol phosphates or PIPs.
Different phosphoinositides are synthesized and recruited on the cytosolic face of the plasma membrane. The localization of specific phosphoinositides concentrated in separate membrane...
Impact of Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Models: Regulatory Decisions01:15

Impact of Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Models: Regulatory Decisions

PK–PD modeling has significantly influenced FDA regulatory decisions, particularly drug approval, dosage optimization, and labeling. These models integrate pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) to predict drug behavior and effects, aiding in optimizing dosing regimens and enhancing the probability of clinical trial success.One notable example is Nesiritide (Natrecor®), a recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide for treating acute decompensated congestive heart failure (CHF).
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...