Wnt Signaling Inhibitors and Their Promising Role in Tumor Treatment

Scientific paper - Review paper

• Author: Nives Pećina-Šlaus
• Author: Sara Aničić
• Author: Anja Bukovac
• Author: Anja Kafka
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Physiology and Immunology)
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Medical Biology)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Basic Medical Sciences; Human Physiology
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Basic Medical Sciences; Cytology, Histology and Embryology

Abstract (english)

In a continuous search for the improvement of antitumor therapies, the inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway has been recognized as a promising target. The altered functioning of the Wnt signaling in human tumors points to the strategy of the inhibition of its activity that would impact the clinical outcomes and survival of patients. Because the Wnt pathway is often mutated or epigenetically altered in tumors, which promotes its activation, inhibitors of Wnt signaling are being intensively investigated. It has been shown that knocking down specific components of the Wnt pathway has inhibitory effects on tumor growth in vivo and in vitro. Thus, similar effects are expected from the application of Wnt inhibitors. In the last decades, molecules acting as inhibitors on the pathway’s specific molecular levels have been identified and characterized. This review will discuss the inhibitors of the canonical Wnt pathway, summarize knowledge on their effectiveness as therapeutics, and debate their side effects. The role of the components frequently mutated in various tumors that are principal targets for Wnt inhibitors is also going to be brought to the reader’s attention. Some of the molecules identified as Wnt pathway inhibitors have reached early stages of clinical trials, and some have only just been discovered. All things considered, inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway shows potential for the development of future therapies.

• Keywords (english): Humans; Neoplasms / drug therapy; Wnt Signaling Pathway; beta Catenin / metabolism
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Review paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Numbering: vol. 24, no. 7, 6733
• e-ISSN: 1422-0067
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24076733
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:746939
• Publication: 2023-04-04
• Document URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/7/6733
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2023-11-24 11:20:28