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Updated: Apr 1, 2026

Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis
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Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis

Published on: August 21, 2013

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Hedgehog- and mTOR-targeted therapies for advanced basal cell carcinomas

Claudine Piérard-Franchimont1,2, Trinh Hermanns-Lê2, Philippe Paquet2

  • 1Laboratory of Skin Bioengineering & Imaging (LABIC), Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Liège, Belgium.

Future Oncology (London, England)
|October 6, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), the most common human cancer, often involve mutations in Hedgehog pathway proteins. Advanced BCCs may respond to treatments targeting the Hedgehog and PI3K-mTOR pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Genetics

Background:

  • Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most prevalent human cancer.
  • Over 90% of BCCs exhibit mutations in PTCH1 or smoothened, key proteins in the Hedgehog signaling pathway.
  • While typically non-metastatic, advanced BCCs pose a therapeutic challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular underpinnings of basal cell carcinoma.
  • To discuss therapeutic strategies for advanced basal cell carcinoma.
  • To highlight the role of Hedgehog and PI3K-mTOR pathway inhibition in BCC treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on basal cell carcinoma genetics and treatment.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways implicated in BCC pathogenesis.
  • Overview of current and emerging pharmacological agents.

Main Results:

  • PTCH1 and smoothened mutations are central to BCC development.
  • Advanced BCC can be treated by targeting the Hedgehog pathway.
  • Inhibition of the PI3K-mTOR pathway offers a complementary therapeutic approach.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting the Hedgehog pathway is a validated strategy for advanced BCC.
  • Combined inhibition of Hedgehog and PI3K-mTOR pathways shows promise.
  • Novel agents are under development for refractory or advanced basal cell carcinoma.
Keywords:
Desert HedgehogEGFHedgehogIndian HedgehogNF-κBPTCH1SMOSonic HedgehogTGFbasal cell carcinomacancer stem cellcyclopaminecytotoxic chemotherapyeverolimushereditary basal cell nevus syndromeitraconazolemetastasisprotein kinasetherapy resistancevismodegib

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