Targeting Wnt pathways in disease

Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 2012 Nov 1;4(11):a008086. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a008086.

Abstract

Wnt-mediated signal transduction pathways have long been recognized for their roles in regulating embryonic development, and have more recently been linked to cancer, neurologic diseases, inflammatory diseases, and disorders of endocrine function and bone metabolism in adults. Although therapies targeting Wnt signaling are attractive in theory, in practice it has been difficult to obtain specific therapeutics because many components of Wnt signaling pathways are also involved in other cellular processes, thereby reducing the specificity of candidate therapeutics. New technologies, and advances in understanding the mechanisms of Wnt signaling, have improved our understanding of the nuances of Wnt signaling and are leading to promising new strategies to target Wnt signaling pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein / metabolism
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Drug Delivery Systems / trends
  • Drug Discovery / methods*
  • Drug Therapy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / pharmacology
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / drug effects
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / physiology*
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • APC protein, human
  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • beta Catenin