The document reviewed the role of the hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway in skin development and cancer, particularly basal cell carcinoma (BCC), which affected 750,000 Americans annually. It highlighted how mutations in genes like PATCHED (PTCH), sonic hedgehog (Shh), and smoothened (Smo) expanded the understanding of BCC's genetic basis. The Shh pathway was crucial for stem cell maintenance and hair follicle and sebaceous gland development in the skin, though it played a minimal role in adult tissues. The review summarized studies on the Shh pathway's involvement in skin development and cancer, described animal models based on this pathway, and discussed chemoprevention strategies for BCCs, providing insights into molecular target-based prevention and treatment of skin cancer.
71 citations,
November 2005 in “The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings/The Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings” Edar signaling is crucial for proper hair follicle development and function.
64 citations,
March 2004 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation” The study demonstrated that ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) played a crucial role in the development of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) in Ptch1+/– mice, which are predisposed to these tumors due to mutations in the patched (PTCH) gene. Overexpression of ODC in these mice accelerated BCC induction following UVB exposure, while inhibition of ODC through antizyme (AZ) overexpression or the use of the ODC inhibitor α-difluoromethylornithine reduced BCC formation. These findings suggested that targeting ODC could be an effective chemopreventive strategy for reducing BCCs in humans.
65 citations,
March 2004 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation” The study demonstrated that ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) played a crucial role in the development of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) in Ptch1+/– mice, which are predisposed to these tumors due to mutations in the PTCH gene. Overexpression of ODC in these mice accelerated BCC induction following UVB exposure, while inhibition of ODC through antizyme overexpression or oral administration of the ODC inhibitor α-difluoromethylornithine reduced BCC formation. These findings suggested that targeting ODC could be an effective chemopreventive strategy against BCCs in humans.
231 citations,
October 1999 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation” Activating the Sonic hedgehog gene in mice can start the hair growth phase.
