YAP/TAZ‐TEAD signalling axis: A new therapeutic target in malignant pleural mesothelioma

Abstract

The Hippo signalling pathway, a highly conserved signalling cassette, regulates organ size by controlling cell growth, apoptosis and stem cell self‐renewal. The tumourigenic potential of this pathway is largely attributed to the activity of YAP/TAZ, which activate the TEAD1‐4 transcription factors, leading to the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation and suppression of cell death. Aberrant regulation of the YAP/TAZ‐TEAD signalling axis is commonly observed in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), an insidious neoplasm of the pleural tissue that lines the chest cavity and covers the lungs with poor prognosis. Given the limited effectiveness of current treatments, targeting the YAP/TAZ‐TEAD signalling cascade has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy in MPM. Several inhibitors of the YAP/TAZ‐TEAD signalling axis are presently undergoing clinical development, with the goal of advancing them to clinical use in the near future.