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Secreted frizzled-related protein 2-mediated cancer events: Friend or foe?

Yanhui Liu1, Qun Zhou1, Dexi Zhou1

  • 1School of Pharmacy, Anhui Key Laboratory of Bioactivity of Natural Products, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Hefei 230032, China.

Pharmacological Reports : PR
|March 9, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (SFRP2) methylation impacts cancer progression. This review explores SFRP2

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (SFRP2) is frequently methylated in human cancers, leading to its down-regulation.
  • SFRP2's role in Wnt signaling pathway activity and tumor progression is complex, with evidence suggesting both anti-oncogenic and tumor-promoting functions.
  • Methylation of SFRP2 has been linked to accelerated cancer cell invasion and growth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize current understanding of SFRP2's multifaceted roles in tumorigenesis.
  • To highlight the potential of SFRP2 as a therapeutic target for novel cancer treatments.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating SFRP2's function in various cancer types.
  • Analysis of research on SFRP2 methylation patterns and their correlation with cancer progression.
  • Evaluation of the Wnt signaling pathway's interaction with SFRP2 in cancer development.

Main Results:

  • SFRP2 exhibits dual roles in cancer, acting as an anti-oncogene in some contexts and a tumor promoter in others.
  • SFRP2 down-regulation via methylation is associated with enhanced cancer cell invasion, growth, and overall tumor progression.
  • Modulating Wnt signaling through SFRP2 presents a promising avenue for cancer therapy development.

Conclusions:

  • SFRP2's complex involvement in tumorigenesis necessitates further investigation.
  • Targeting SFRP2 offers potential for developing innovative anti-cancer drugs.
  • Understanding SFRP2's precise role in different cancer types is crucial for effective therapeutic strategies.
Keywords:
CancerMethylationSecreted frizzled-related protein 2Wnt signaling pathaway

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