Epigenetic Regulation of Hedgehog Signaling Pathway as Novel Therapeutic Approach in Breast Cancer

Abstract

The Hedgehog signaling pathway is a central player in developmental transformation facilitating many cellular functions such as differentiation, proliferation and survival. Consequently, any alterations in this pathway results in cellular deficiencies leading to disease conditions especially cancer. Constitutive activation of the HH pathway responsible for initiation, maintenance or proliferation of neoplastic changes is usually a result of genetic mutations of the HH pathway components or mediated by epigenetic modifications directed aberrant expression of the pathway components. While the genetic factors accountable for aberrant activity of the pathway have been extensively studied, the epigenetic machinery behind the deregulation hasn’t been properly understood. The present study has been conducted to decipher the epigenetic regulatory mechanism controlling HH pathway in breast cancer. Elucidation of the detailed epigenetic system behind the mismanagement of this crucial pathway will highlight the significance of developmental pathways in tumorigenic states. A better knowledge regarding the epigenetic causal factors involved in deregulation of HH pathway will provide opportunities for devising novel strategies for inhibiting its activity and result in better therapeutic and clinical implications for cancer treatment.