β-Catenin signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma

Deregulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling is one of the main genetic alterations in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Comprehensive genomic analyses have revealed that gain-of-function mutation of CTNNB1, which encodes β-catenin, and loss-of-function mutation of AXIN1 occur in approximately 35% of human HCC samples. Human HCCs with activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway demonstrate unique gene expression patterns and pathological features. Activated Wnt/β-catenin synergizes with multiple signaling cascades to drive HCC formation, and it functions through its downstream effectors. Therefore, strategies targeting Wnt/β-catenin have been pursued as possible therapeutics against HCC. Here, we review the genetic…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Award: R01CA204586
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: R01CA204586, 82073091, P30DK026743
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: R01CA204586, R01CA250227, P30DK026743, R01CA239251
• UO
  University of California, San Francisco

  Award: P30DK026743
• LC
  Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco

  Award: P30DK026743