Basal cell carcinoma and the carcinogenic role of aberrant Hedgehog signaling

Future Oncol. 2010 Jun;6(6):1003-14. doi: 10.2217/fon.10.49.

Abstract

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent cancer in the white population and its incidence appears to be increasing worldwide. While the majority of BCCs arise sporadically, many cases are attributable to basal cell nevus syndrome, or Gorlin syndrome, an autosomal dominantly inherited disorder characterized by the occurrence of multiple BCCs and by extracutaneous tumors. Genetic studies on patients with basal cell nevus syndrome indicate deregulation of the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway in epidermal keratinocytes as the primary event in the pathogenesis of BCC. This article summarizes the recent progress in understanding Hh-dependent BCC tumorigenesis, as well as evidence for deregulation of other molecular pathways, primarily the Wnt developmental pathway. Understanding the molecular genetics of BCC development has provided new opportunities for molecular therapy of this cancer by targeting Hh and other signaling pathways.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome / genetics
  • Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / pathology
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • Cilia / physiology
  • DNA Repair
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / physiology
  • Hair Follicle / growth & development
  • Hedgehog Proteins / genetics
  • Hedgehog Proteins / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism
  • Mammals / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / physiology*
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase / physiology
  • Patched Receptors
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / deficiency
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / physiology
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / physiology
  • Repressor Proteins / deficiency
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / physiology
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Skin / growth & development
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Smoothened Receptor
  • Wnt Proteins / physiology

Substances

  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Patched Receptors
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Repressor Proteins
  • SMO protein, human
  • SUFU protein, human
  • Smo protein, mouse
  • Smoothened Receptor
  • Sufu protein, mouse
  • Wnt Proteins
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase