Open Access

Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway in gynecological and genitourinary cancer (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Anna Kotulak‑Chrząszcz
    • Zbigniew Kmieć
    • Piotr M. Wierzbicki
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: April 16, 2021     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2021.4939
  • Article Number: 106
  • Copyright: © Kotulak‑Chrząszcz et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Cancers of the urinary tract, as well as those of the female and male reproductive systems, account for a large percentage of malignancies worldwide. Mortality is frequently affected by late diagnosis or therapeutic difficulties. The Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) pathway is an evolutionary conserved molecular cascade, which is mainly associated with the development of the central nervous system in fetal life. The present review aimed to provide an in‑depth summary of the SHH signaling pathway, including the characterization of its major components, the mechanism of its upstream regulation and non‑canonical activation, as well as its interactions with other cellular pathways. In addition, the three possible mechanisms of the cellular SHH cascade in cancer tissue are discussed. The aim of the present review was to summarize significant findings with regards to the expression of the SHH pathway components in kidney, bladder, ovarian, cervical and prostate cancer. Reports associated with common deficits and de‑regulations of the SHH pathway were summarized, despite the differences in molecular and histological patterns among these malignancies. However, currently, neither are SHH pathway elements included in panels of prognostic/therapeutic molecular patterns in any of the discussed cancers, nor have the drugs targeting SMO or GLIs been approved for therapy. The findings of the present review may support future studies on the treatment of and/or molecular targets for gynecological and genitourinary cancers.
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June-2021
Volume 47 Issue 6

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Kotulak‑Chrząszcz A, Kmieć Z and Wierzbicki PM: Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway in gynecological and genitourinary cancer (Review). Int J Mol Med 47: 106, 2021
APA
Kotulak‑Chrząszcz, A., Kmieć, Z., & Wierzbicki, P.M. (2021). Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway in gynecological and genitourinary cancer (Review). International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 47, 106. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2021.4939
MLA
Kotulak‑Chrząszcz, A., Kmieć, Z., Wierzbicki, P. M."Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway in gynecological and genitourinary cancer (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 47.6 (2021): 106.
Chicago
Kotulak‑Chrząszcz, A., Kmieć, Z., Wierzbicki, P. M."Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway in gynecological and genitourinary cancer (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 47, no. 6 (2021): 106. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2021.4939