Targeting the Hedgehog Pathway Components by Using Inhibitors and Epigenetic Modulators

Abstract

The hedgehog signaling pathway plays a major role in cellular functions such as differentiation, proliferation and survival. Consequently due to any alterations in this pathway results in cellular deficiencies leading to disease conditions especially cancer. The fundamental abnormality resulting in the development of cancer is the continual unregulated proliferation of cancer cells. Rather than responding appropriately to signals that control normal cell behavior, cancer cell grow and divide in an uncontrolled manner, invading normal tissues and organs and eventually spreading throughout the body. Activation of HH pathway responsible for initiation and proliferation of neoplastic changes is usually a result of genetic alterations of the HH pathway components. The present study has been conducted to decrypt the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms controlling HH pathway in prostate cancer. Epigenetic modulators are involved in deregulation of HH pathway will provide opportunity for creating novel strategies for therapeutic approach for cancer treatment.