TGF-beta1, WNT, and SHH signaling in tumor progression and in fibrotic diseases

Front Biosci (Schol Ed). 2017 Jan 1;9(1):31-45. doi: 10.2741/s470.

Abstract

Activation of resting fibroblasts to myofibroblasts characterizes several physiological and pathological conditions, from wound healing to aggressive metastatic cancers. In tissue damage, including wound healing, fibroblasts are activated in response to injury for a limited period of time to stimulate the healing process. Similar biological mechanisms are maintained in pathological conditions, e.g., scleroderma and cancer, where myofibroblasts persist in producing cytokines and growth factors to drive the development of fibrosis and the progression of disease. Studies characterizing the bi-directional signal transduction pathways between cancer cells and stromal cells have suggested novel druggable targets that may function in both the inhibition of fibrotic reactions in cancer stroma and in the inhibition of fibrotic diseases. In this review, we focus on transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), int/Wingless (WNT), and sonic hedgehog (SHH) signal transduction pathways and describe small molecule inhibitors that are used in phase I/II clinical trials to treat fibrosis or fibrotic cancers.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Disease Progression
  • Fibrosis
  • Hedgehog Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Hedgehog Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Small Molecule Libraries / pharmacology
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism*
  • Wnt Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / drug effects

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Wnt Proteins