Navigating breast cancer complexity: Deciphering the cross talk of Wnt/β catenin and Notch pathways in development and diseases

Abstract

This study investigates miRNA impact on lung, colorectal, and epithelial cancers, emphasizing Wnt3’s role in breast tumor growth through WNT signaling and its influence on mammary stem cells. WNT pathway inactivation induces drug-insensitive, quiescent states in breast cancer stem cells, resulting in resistance to multiple drugs. Tamoxifen-resistant breast carcinoma cells activate both canonical and noncanonical WNT signaling, with Wnt3a enhancing tamoxifen resistance in ER+ carcinoma cells. The study also explores breast cancer immunotherapy, highlighting immune checkpoint blockade targeting PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 as promising avenues. Additionally, the study explores the NOTCH signaling pathways impact on cancer proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis. Elevated NOTCH receptor and ligand expression particularly in aggressive triple negative breast cancer correlate with poorer treatment outcome, serving as a predictor for adverse results in breast tumors. The review discusses the relevance of Notch signaling in therapy resistance and breast cancer recurrence. The article encapsulates therapeutic advancements targeting the Notch signaling pathway, weighing merits and demerits in the context of breast cancer treatment. Our study provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions within the WNT and Notch signaling pathways in breast cancer, shedding light on potential therapeutic targets and strategies for personalized treatment. This research significantly contributes to the current body of knowledge, offering promise for improved outcomes in breast cancer patients. The findings underscore the importance of WNT and Notch signaling modulation in developing effective therapeutic interventions for breast cancer.