肝细胞癌(HCC)是世界上最常见的癌症之一。有多种病因,包括病毒和环境影响,可导致HCC。由于缺乏良好表征和特异性的生物标志物,早期HCC的成功筛查具有挑战性。然而,成功筛查至关重要,因为早期诊断可能提供治愈机会.一旦肝癌进展,有多个治疗场所,但大多数最终都失败了,因此,开发新的靶向疗法可能为有效疗法提供更大的机会。沿着这些线,Wnt通路已被确定为有助于HCC的发生和发展。Wnts可以改变HCC的生长和侵袭能力。Wnt途径中的关键因素是Wnt抑制剂的dickkopf(DKK)家族。DKK也已显示出调节HCC进展。此外,多项研究表明DKK在组织和血清中的表达具有诊断和预后价值。
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. There are multiple etiologic factors including viral and environmental influences that can lead to HCC. Successful screening for early HCC is challenging due to the lack of well characterized and specific biomarkers. However, achieving successful screening is critically important as early diagnosis can potentially provide curative opportunities. Once HCC is advanced, there are multiple therapeutic venues, but most eventually fail, therefore developing new targeted therapies may provide greater chance for effective therapies. Along these lines, the Wnt pathway has been identified as contributing to the development and progression of HCC. Wnts can modify HCC growth and invasive ability. A key factor in the Wnt pathway is the dickkopf (
DKK) family of Wnt inhibitors. DKKs have also been shown to modulate HCC progression. Additionally, several studies have suggested that
DKK expression in tissue and serum has diagnostic and prognostic value.