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Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis
06:53

Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis

Published on: August 21, 2013

13.0K

From basal cell carcinoma morphogenesis to the alopecia induced by hedgehog inhibitors: connecting the dots

C Dessinioti1, C Antoniou1, A J Stratigos1

  • 1Dermato-Oncology Unit, First Department of Dermatology, University of Athens, Andreas Syggros Hospital, Athens, Greece.

The British Journal of Dermatology
|June 20, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Hedgehog (Hh) pathway inhibitors treat basal cell carcinoma (BCC) by targeting hair follicle growth. Understanding Hh pathway crosstalk in hair follicles is key to treating BCC and preventing HPI-induced alopecia.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) tumorigenesis is linked to the hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway.
  • Hh signalling is crucial for hair follicle (HF) development and hair cycling.
  • Hh pathway inhibitors (HPIs) like vismodegib and sonidegib are effective BCC therapies but can cause alopecia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular events of Hh pathway crosstalk in hair follicles.
  • To elucidate the role of these events in BCC pathogenesis.
  • To explain HPI-induced alopecia.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of Hh signalling in skin biology and BCC.
  • Analysis of molecular interactions between Hh and Wnt/β-catenin pathways.
  • Examination of HPI effects on hair follicles.

Main Results:

  • Hh pathway is central to both HF cycling and BCC development.
  • Wnt/β-catenin signalling interacts with Hh signalling in HF morphogenesis and BCC.
  • HPI treatment disrupts Hh signalling, leading to BCC regression and alopecia.

Conclusions:

  • Fine-tuning of hair cycling events by Hh signalling can lead to benign or malignant follicular neoplasms.
  • Hh pathway crosstalk in HFs is a critical factor in BCC pathogenesis.
  • Understanding this crosstalk is essential for managing HPI side effects like alopecia.

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