Targeting the Wnt pathways for therapies

Abstract

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is crucial in animal development from sponges to humans. Its activity in the
adulthood is less general, with exceptions having huge medical importance. Namely, improper activation of this
pathway is carcinogenic in many tissues, most notably in the colon, liver and the breast. On the other hand, the
Wnt/β-catenin signaling must be re-activated in cases of tissue damage, and insufficient activation results in
regeneration failure and degeneration. These both medically important implications are unified by the emerging
importance of this signaling pathway in the control of proliferation of various types of stem cells, crucial for tissue
regeneration and, in case of cancer stem cells – cancer progression and relapse. This article aims at briefly reviewing
the current state of knowledge in the field of Wnt signaling, followed by a detailed discussion of current medical
developments targeting distinct branches of the Wnt pathway for anti-cancer and pro-regeneration therapies.