Revisiting the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in prostate cancer

• Published in: Molecular and cellular endocrinology Vol. 462; no. Pt A; pp. 3 - 8
• Main Authors: Schneider, Jeffrey A., Logan, Susan K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 15.02.2018
• Subjects: Androgen receptor; androgen receptors; Animals; genome-wide association study; Humans; Male; metastasis; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Neoplastic Stem Cells - metabolism; Neoplastic Stem Cells - pathology; Prostate cancer; prostatic neoplasms; Prostatic Neoplasms - genetics; Prostatic Neoplasms - metabolism; Prostatic Neoplasms - therapy; Receptors, Androgen - metabolism; Signal Transduction; stem cells; therapeutics; Wnt signaling; Wnt Signaling Pathway; β-catenin; β-catenin; Wnt signaling; Prostate cancer; Androgen receptor
• ISSN: 0303-7207; 1872-8057; 1872-8057
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.02.008

The androgen receptor (AR) is a widely accepted therapeutic target in prostate cancer and multiple studies indicate that the AR and Wnt/β-catenin pathways intersect. Recent genome-wide analysis of prostate cancer metastases illustrate the importance of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in prostate cancer and compel us to reexamine the interaction of the AR and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. This review includes newer areas of interest such as non-canonical Wnt signaling and the role of Wnts in prostate cancer stem cells. The effort to develop Wnt modulating therapeutics, both biologics and small molecules, is also discussed. •Description of interactions of the Wnt/β-catenin and AR signaling in prostate cancer.•The interaction may be synergistic or opposing depending on context.•Prostate cancer stem cells and non-canonical Wnt signaling in PCa also discussed.•The status of Wnt modulating therapeutics in relation to cancer is detailed.