Wnt-1 signal as a potential cancer therapeutic target

Drug News Perspect. 2006 Jan-Feb;19(1):27-31. doi: 10.1358/dnp.2005.19.1.965871.

Abstract

Wnt-1 was first identified as a proto-oncogene activated in mouse mammary tumors induced by mouse mammary tumor virus in 1982. Wnt-1 signal is a secreted glycoprotein that plays important roles in embryonic development and carcinogenesis. In a conditional Wnt-1 transgenic mouse tumor model, reduction of Wnt-1 signaling results in the regression of the Wnt-1 initiated primary mammary tumors and lung metastasis. Aberrant activation of the Wnt pathway has been strongly linked to the development of human cancers. Increased Wnt-1 signal has been found in a variety of human cancers. Our group has shown that blockade of Wnt-1 signaling, by either Wnt-1 small interference RNA or anti-Wnt-1 antibody induces apoptosis in human cancer cells and inhibits tumor growth in vivo. This review summarizes the recent significant findings and the potentials of Wnt-1 signal as a new therapeutic target for cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Blocking / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Wnt1 Protein / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Wnt1 Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies, Blocking
  • MAS1 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Wnt1 Protein