The Wnt signaling pathway: implications for therapy in osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone malignancy, with a high propensity for local invasion, early metastasis and relapse. While the molecular mechanisms behind osteosarcoma development and metastasis have not yet been fully elucidated, research has highlighted an important role for Wnt signaling. Several Wnt ligands, receptors and coreceptors are highly expressed in osteosarcoma cell lines, while Wnt inhibitors are downregulated. As a result, research has begun to identify mechanisms with which to inhibit Wnt signaling. The use of Wnt pathway inhibitors and the targeting of c-Met, a Wnt regulated proto-oncogene, may be two possible mechanisms for treatment of osteosarcoma. In addition, as the Wnt signaling pathway is a regulator of stem cells, reagents that function as Wnt inhibitors are currently under investigation as inhibitors of cancer stem cell proliferation. Research involving the Wnt signaling pathway and cancer stem cells holds promise for novel treatment options in the future.