WNT signaling in malignant mesothelioma
Friday, May 26th, 2006.
Frontiers in Bioscience. 2006 Sep 1;11:2106-12. [Link]
Fox S, Dharmarajan A.
Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Curtin University of Technology, West Australian Biomedical Research Institute, Bentley, WA, Australia.
Abstract
Neoplastic transformation of mesothelium is commonly associated with exposure to asbestos and gives rise to malignant mesothelioma, an aggressive disease that has proved particularly refractory to conventional anti-cancer therapies. The Wnt signaling pathways play key roles in fundamental processes, which include both development and homeostasis. The importance of these pathways in tumorigenesis is emphasized by the many cancers which show aberrations in Wnt signaling. In this review we examine the current evidence for activation of Wnt signaling and the abnormal expression of specific molecules in malignant mesothelioma.
Glossary
- cancer
- malignancy; a group of diseases typified by abnormal, generally out-of-control, cell growth.
- mesothelioma
- a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.
- tumorigenesis
- production or formation of tumors.
