Casein kinase 2 (CK2) is a protein kinase which is frequently activated in cancer. The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is involved in the stimulation of cancer stem cell growth. Its aberrant activation has been validated in several types of cancer, including ovarian cancer. In the present study, the sphere‑forming cells (SFCs) of the human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cell line were observed to have se...

The Hedgehog (HH) pathway has been identified as an important deregulated signal transduction pathway in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a cancer type characterized by a highly metastatic phenotype. In PDAC, the canonical HH pathway activity is restricted to the stromal compartment while HH signaling in the tumor cells is reduced as a consequence of constitutive KRAS activation. Here, ...

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients have very low survival rates because the current therapeutic strategies are not fully effective. Although EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors are effective for NSCLC patients harboring EGFR mutations, patients invariably develop resistance to these agents. Alterations in multiple signaling cascades have been associated with the development of resistance t...

Viral oncoproteins E6/E7 play key oncogenic role in human papillomavirus (HPV)-mediated cervical carcinogenesis in conjunction with aberrant activation of cellular signaling events. GLI-signaling has been implicated in metastasis and tumor recurrence of cervical cancer. However, the interaction of GLI-signaling with HPV oncogenes is unknown. We examined this relationship in established HPV-posi...

Author manuscripts have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication but have not yet been edited. Author manuscripts have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication but have not yet been edited. ABSTRACT Local control and overall survival in patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) remains dismal. Signaling through the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway is associated with e...

The Hedgehog (HH) pathway has been identified as an important deregulated signal transduction pathway in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a cancer type characterized by a highly metastatic phenotype. In PDAC, the canonical HH pathway activity is restricted to the stromal compartment while HH signaling in the tumor cells is reduced as a consequence of constitutive KRAS activation. Here, ...

The aberrant activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway has been implicated in a variety of malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The mammalian 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a crucial role in cellular energy homeostasis. However, the interaction between the Hh and AMPK signaling pathways has not been investigated to date. In the presen...

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the activity of hedgehog signaling pathway in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Experimental Design: The expression of hedgehog signaling components was assessed by quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization in 45 clinical samples. Primary MPM cultures were developed in serum-free condition in 3% oxygen and were used to investigate the effects of...

AIM To investigate the expression of three components of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway (SHH, SMO and GLI1) in human colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues and evaluate their association with clinicopathologic characteristics of the patients. METHODS Fresh tumor tissues and matched tissues adjacent to the tumor were collected from 43 CRC patients undergoing surgery. Normal colorectal tissues fr...

Truncating mutations in Gli3, an intracellular effector in the SHH-SMO-GLI signaling pathway, cause renal aplasia/dysplasia in humans and mice. Yet, the pathogenic mechanisms are undefined. Here, we report the effect of decreased SHH-SMO signaling on renal morphogenesis, the expression of SHH target genes and GLI binding to Shh target genes. Shh deficiency or cyclopamine-mediated SMO inhibition...