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Porcn as a novel therapeutic target in cancer therapy:  A review

Mortaza Raeisi1, Maryam Saberivand1, Kobra Velaei2

  • 1Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Cell Biology International
|August 16, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Wingless-related integration site (Wnt) signaling drives cancer. Porcupine (Porcn) enzyme inhibitors show promise for targeted cancer therapy by blocking Wnt ligand secretion.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Wingless-related integration site (Wnt) signaling is a key pathway implicated in various cancers.
  • Porcupine (Porcn) is a critical enzyme in Wnt ligand acylation and secretion, making it a potential therapeutic target.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the structure and biological role of Porcn in cancer.
  • To discuss Porcn inhibitors as a therapeutic strategy for malignancies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of Porcn's role in cancer signaling pathways.
  • Analysis of small molecule inhibitors targeting Porcn.

Main Results:

  • Porcn is crucial for Wnt ligand palmitoylation and secretion.
  • Porcn's involvement in colorectal, pancreatic, liver, head, and neck cancers is highlighted.
  • Small molecule inhibitors targeting Porcn demonstrate therapeutic potential.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting Porcn offers a promising strategy for cancer treatment.
  • Further research into Porcn inhibitors could lead to novel cancer therapies.
Keywords:
cancercell migrationlipid mediatorsmetastasistumor suppressor

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