Invited reviewTargeting the Hippo pathway: Clinical implications and therapeutics

The Hippo pathway plays a critical role in tissue and organ size regulation by restraining cell proliferation and apoptosis under homeostatic conditions. Deregulation of this pathway can promote tumorigenesis in multiple malignant human tumor types, including sarcoma, breast, lung and liver cancers. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of Hippo pathway function, it's role in human cancer, and address the potential of Hippo pathway member proteins as therapeutic targets for a variety of tumors.

Schematic of Hippo pathway signaling cascade. Each druggable element of the cascade is numerically labeled. The drugs being tested against these molecules are as follows: 1. epinephrine glucagon, dihydreidine, monoclonal antibodies to LPA, S1P (LT3015, Sphingomab). 2. Latrunculin A, Latrunculin B, Cytochalasin D. 3. PDZ blocking peptide. 4. Porphyrin (verteporfin). 5. Hippo pathway targets.129