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Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Studying Wnt Signaling During Patterning of Conducting Airways
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Published on: October 16, 2016

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Chemical Modulation of WNT Signaling in Cancer

Li-Shu Zhang1, Lawrence Lum1

  • 1University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.

Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science
|February 2, 2018
PubMed

Insights

WNT signaling, crucial for cell fate, also suppresses immune responses in melanoma. Targeting WNT, particularly PORCN, offers novel anticancer strategies despite potential challenges.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • WNT proteins are key regulators of cell fate decisions in development and tissue regeneration.
  • Understanding WNT signaling is vital for predicting efficacy and toxicity of anticancer drugs.
  • WNT signaling's role in cancer is long-established, but its function in suppressing immune attack in melanoma is a recent discovery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the literature on WNT signaling in cancer.
  • To discuss the potential of targeting WNT signaling as an anticancer strategy, especially in melanoma.
  • To explore challenges associated with targeting WNT signaling therapeutically.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of WNT signaling in cancer.
  • Focus on small molecules targeting WNT signaling, particularly PORCN antagonists.
  • Discussion of clinical trial data for PORCN inhibitors.

Main Results:

  • WNT signaling plays a dual role in cancer, acting as both an oncogene and an immune suppressor.
  • Targeting WNT signaling, especially its role in immune suppression in melanoma, presents a novel therapeutic avenue.
  • PORCN antagonists show promise, with two candidates currently in clinical trials.

Conclusions:

  • WNT signaling's complex role in cancer necessitates careful therapeutic targeting.
  • Inhibiting WNT signaling, particularly through PORCN antagonists, offers a promising strategy against melanoma by potentially enhancing anti-tumor immunity.
  • Further research and clinical evaluation are needed to overcome challenges in WNT-targeted cancer therapy.
Keywords:
APCRNF43TCF7L2WNTcolorectal cancerdysgeusiahepatocellular cancerimmunooncologypancreatic cancerporcupineβ-catenin

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