Targeting Wnt Signaling for Gastrointestinal Cancer Therapy: Present and Evolving Views

Abstract

Wnt signaling governs tissue development, homeostasis, and regeneration. However, aberrant activation of Wnt promotes tumorigenesis. Despite the ongoing efforts to manipulate Wnt signaling, therapeutic targeting of Wnt signaling remains challenging. In this review, we provide an overview of current clinical trials to target Wnt signaling, with a major focus on gastrointestinal cancers. In addition, we discuss the caveats and alternative strategies for therapeutically targeting Wnt signaling for cancer treatment.

Keywords

• Wnt signaling
• β-catenin
• cancer
• gastrointestinal cancers
• therapeutic targeting of Wnt signaling
• β-catenin paradox