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Integration of Bioinformatics Approaches and Experimental Validations to Understand the Role of Notch Signaling in Ovarian Cancer
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Hedgehog Signaling Pathway as Genetic and Epigenetic Target in Ovarian Tumors

Sonja Levanat1, Maja Sabol, Vesna Musani

  • 1Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, Bijenicka cesta 54, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia.

Current Pharmaceutical Design
|October 11, 2016
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The Hedgehog signaling pathway, usually dormant in adults, becomes active in tumors and drives cancer stem cell maintenance. Targeting this pathway, especially in ovarian cancer, offers new therapeutic strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The Hedgehog signaling pathway is crucial during development and typically inactive in adult tissues, except in stem cells.
  • Aberrant Hedgehog pathway activation is frequently observed in various tumors, correlating with cancer stem cell maintenance and tumor progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • This review examines Hedgehog pathway activation in tumors, with a specific focus on ovarian tumors.
  • The study explores therapeutic strategies targeting the Hedgehog pathway in ovarian cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on Hedgehog signaling in tumorigenesis.
  • Analysis of mechanisms driving aberrant Hedgehog pathway activation.
  • Examination of therapeutic interventions, including combination therapies.

Main Results:

  • Mutations in Hedgehog pathway components can cause developmental abnormalities.
  • Aberrant pathway activation arises from mutations, noncanonical regulation, or epigenetic alterations.
  • The Hedgehog pathway is implicated in the maintenance of cancer stem cells.

Conclusions:

  • The Hedgehog pathway represents a promising therapeutic target in oncology.
  • Combination therapies targeting the Hedgehog pathway alongside other signaling pathways can overcome resistance.
  • Targeting the Hedgehog pathway offers a more effective strategy for eradicating cancer stem cells.
Keywords:
Hedgehog signalingcyclopaminemethylationmiRNAmutationovarian tumorstherapy

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