Hedgehog signaling can create new hair follicles in adult skin but may increase cancer risk.
16 citations
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March 2015 in “Clinical Cancer Research” The document concludes that side effects from Smoothened inhibitor drugs for skin cancer are reversible and can be managed with a team approach to maintain quality of life.
17 citations
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June 2017 in “British Journal of Dermatology” The article concludes that hair loss is a common side effect of drugs treating skin cancer by blocking the hedgehog pathway, but treatment should continue, and more selective drugs might prevent this side effect.
8 citations
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May 2019 in “Journal of dermatological treatment” Vismodegib is effective for basal cell carcinoma but has severe side effects.
136 citations
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April 2013 in “Clinical Cancer Research” The drug IPI-926 is safe at 160 mg daily and may help treat certain tumors, especially basal cell carcinoma.