YAP1 signaling and cancer: molecular pathways reveal novel targeting opportunities
Jialin Wu1,2,3, Bonan Chen1,2,3, Fuda Xie1,2,3
1Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Introduction:
The Hippo pathway plays a critical role in maintaining tissue homeostasis, regulating organ size, and controlling cellular processes. YAP1/TAZ activation drives oncogenesis, metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapy by promoting key cellular behaviors such as immune evasion and tumor cell survival.
Areas Covered:
This review synthesizes current advances in understanding how YAP1 and its paralog TAZ drive tumor initiation and progression. We highlight their central roles in sustaining cancer stem cell properties, promoting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and shaping an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Emerging therapeutic approaches targeting the YAP1/TAZ-TEAD transcriptional complex, including small-molecule disruptors of TEAD auto-palmitoylation, are evaluated alongside the challenges posed by pathway redundancy and context-dependent effects.
Expert Opinion:
Therapeutically inhibiting YAP1/TAZ signaling holds substantial promise. Yet the dual physiological roles of YAP1 in tissue repair and stemness underscore the need for highly selective and temporally controlled interventions. Rational combinations, such as pairing YAP1/TEAD inhibitors with immune checkpoint blockade, anti-fibrotic agents, may enhance clinical benefit. Future work should prioritize the development of robust biomarkers of YAP1 activation, deeper mapping of TEAD-dependent versus TEAD-independent functions, and optimization of strategies that maximize antitumor efficacy while limiting systemic toxicity.
Insights
The Hippo pathway, specifically YAP1/TAZ activation, drives cancer progression and metastasis. Targeting this pathway shows therapeutic promise but requires careful strategies to manage its dual roles in tissue repair and stemness.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The Hippo pathway is crucial for tissue homeostasis and organ size regulation.
- YAP1/TAZ activation promotes oncogenesis, metastasis, and chemoresistance by enhancing tumor cell survival and immune evasion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current understanding of YAP1/TAZ roles in tumor initiation and progression.
- To evaluate therapeutic strategies targeting the YAP1/TAZ-TEAD complex.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing current advances in YAP1/TAZ research.
- Evaluation of emerging therapeutic approaches and challenges.
Main Results:
- YAP1/TAZ sustain cancer stem cell properties, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments.
- Small-molecule disruptors of TEAD auto-palmitoylation are emerging therapeutic targets.
Conclusions:
- Targeting YAP1/TAZ signaling offers therapeutic potential but requires selective interventions due to YAP1's roles in tissue repair.
- Combination therapies and development of biomarkers are crucial for maximizing efficacy and minimizing toxicity.
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