Revisiting the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in prostate cancer

Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2018 Feb 15;462(Pt A):3-8. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.02.008. Epub 2017 Feb 9.

Abstract

The androgen receptor (AR) is a widely accepted therapeutic target in prostate cancer and multiple studies indicate that the AR and Wnt/β-catenin pathways intersect. Recent genome-wide analysis of prostate cancer metastases illustrate the importance of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in prostate cancer and compel us to reexamine the interaction of the AR and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. This review includes newer areas of interest such as non-canonical Wnt signaling and the role of Wnts in prostate cancer stem cells. The effort to develop Wnt modulating therapeutics, both biologics and small molecules, is also discussed.

Keywords: Androgen receptor; Prostate cancer; Wnt signaling; β-catenin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / therapy
  • Receptors, Androgen / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway*

Substances

  • Receptors, Androgen