Crosstalk of the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in the Induction of Apoptosis on Cancer Cells

The Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway plays a major role in cell survival and proliferation, as well as in angiogenesis, migration, invasion, metastasis, and stem cell renewal in various cancer types. However, the modulation (either up- or downregulation) of this pathway can inhibit cell proliferation and apoptosis both through beta-catenin-dependent and independent mechanisms, and by crosstalk with other signaling pathways in a wide range of malignant tumors. Existing studies have reported conflicting results, indicating that the Wnt signaling can have both oncogenic and tumor-suppressing roles, depending on the cellular context. This review summarizes the available information on the role of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway and its crosstalk with other signaling pathways in apoptosis induction in cancer cells and presents a modified dual-signal model for the function of beta-catenin. Understanding the proapoptotic mechanisms induced by the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway could open new therapeutic opportunities.

Automated summary

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays crucial roles in various cancer types, affecting cell survival, proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, invasion, metastasis, and stem cell renewal. However, the pathway can have dual effects, promoting both cell proliferation and apoptosis depending on the cellular context. Understanding the mechanisms behind these effects could lead to new therapeutic opportunities in cancer treatment.