Hedgehog, Notch and Wnt developmental pathways as targets for anti-cancer drugs

The developmental proteins Hedgehog, Notch and Wnt are key regulators of cell fate, proliferation, migration and differentiation in several tissues. Their related signaling pathways are frequently activated in neoplasms, and particularly in the rare subpopulation of cancer stem cells. Here we present a brief overview on oncogenic properties of components of these pathways and on drugs that selectively inhibit their activity. Such drugs are promising new targets for future cancer therapeutics.

Section editors:Thomas Ried – Avalon Pharm., Inc., Germantown, MD, USAReinhard Ebner – Center for Cancer Research, NCI/NIH