WntSignal Transduction

Abstract

Disruption of Wnt signalling is commonly found in a wide range of cancers and thus can possibly be regarded as a “generic” step in the process of carcinogenesis. Recent advances in the understanding of the Wnt signalling pathway have given insight into how inappropriate activation of this pathway may facilitate the neoplastic conversion of a normal cell. In addition, identification of the mechanisms which regulate Wnt signalling has led to the possibility of manipulating these mechanisms in order to down‐regulate Wnt signalling as a therapeutic strategy. In this chapter, the role of aberrant Wnt signalling in the mechanics of tumour development is discussed together with its implications for anti‐tumour therapy.