Abstract
It has long been known that the hedgehog signaling pathway is crucial for embryonic development, in both Drosophila and vertebrate systems. During the past few years its implication in carcinogenesis has become clear and today it is acknowledged that this pathway plays a role in the malignant transformation of multiple cell types, either owing to the mutation of some of its components or to its erratic activation. New molecular targeted therapies that inhibit the pathway have shown their unquestionable efficiency in several tumours -among which basal cell carcinoma, medulloblastoma, or pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The assessment of these inhibitors in other types of tumours is currently underway with promising results, suggesting that the Sonic hedgehog signalling pathway may become one of the therapeutic targets of the future.
MeSH terms
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Anilides / therapeutic use
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Animals
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Carcinoma, Basal Cell / drug therapy
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Carcinoma, Basal Cell / genetics
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Cerebellar Neoplasms / genetics
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Embryonic Development / physiology*
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Embryonic Induction / physiology
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Hedgehog Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
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Hedgehog Proteins / genetics
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Hedgehog Proteins / physiology*
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Humans
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Lung Neoplasms / genetics
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Medulloblastoma / genetics
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Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods*
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Mutation / physiology
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Neoplasms / drug therapy*
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Neoplasms / genetics*
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Neoplastic Stem Cells / physiology
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Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics
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Patched Receptors
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Patient Selection
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Pyridines / therapeutic use
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Receptors, Cell Surface / physiology
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Signal Transduction / drug effects
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Signal Transduction / physiology
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Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy
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Skin Neoplasms / genetics
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Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / genetics
Substances
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Anilides
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Hedgehog Proteins
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HhAntag691
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Patched Receptors
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Pyridines
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Receptors, Cell Surface