Frizzled Receptors in Tumors, Focusing on Signaling, Roles, Modulation Mechanisms, and Targeted Therapies

Oncol Res. 2021 Mar 16;28(6):661-674. doi: 10.3727/096504020X16014648664459. Epub 2020 Sep 30.

Abstract

Wnt molecules play crucial roles in development and adult homeostasis through their receptors Frizzled proteins (Fzds). Fzds mediate canonical -catenin pathway and various noncanonical -catenin-independent pathways. Aberrant Fzd signaling is involved in many diseases including cancer. Wnt/-catenin is a well-established oncogenic pathway involved in almost every aspect of tumor development. However, Fzd-mediated noncanonical Wnt pathways function as both tumor promoters and tumor suppressors depending on cellular context. Fzd-targeted therapies have proven to be effective on cultured tumor cells, tumor cell xenografts, mouse tumor models, and patient-derived xenografts (PDX). Moreover, Fzd-targeted therapies synergize with chemotherapy in preclinical models. However, the occurrence of fragility fractures in patients treated with Fzd-targeted agents such as OMP-54F28 and OMP-18R5 limits the development of this combination. Along with new insights on signaling, roles, and modulation mechanisms of Fzds in human tumors, more Fzd-related therapeutic targets will be developed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Carcinogenesis
  • Frizzled Receptors / genetics
  • Frizzled Receptors / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments / metabolism
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Ubiquitination
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / drug effects
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Frizzled Receptors
  • Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments
  • MicroRNAs
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin
  • OMP-54F28