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Wnt signaling: a double-edged sword in protecting bone from cancer

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Abstract

Wnt signaling plays a critical role in loading-driven bone formation and bone homeostasis, whereas its activation in cancer cells promotes their progression. Currently, major research efforts in cancer treatment have been directed to the development of Wnt inhibitors. Recent studies on tumor–bone interactions, however, presented multiple lines of evidence that support a tumor-suppressive role of Lrp5, a Wnt co-receptor, and β-catenin, in Wnt signaling. This review describes the action of Wnt signaling as a double-edged sword in the bone microenvironment and suggests the possibility of a novel option for protecting bone from cancer.

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Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate the support from NIH R03CA238555 and 100 Voices of Hope (HY).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China

    Xun Sun, Kexin Li & Bai-Yan Li

  2. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 723 West Michigan Street, SL220, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Xun Sun, Kexin Li & Hiroki Yokota

  3. Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Hiroki Yokota

  4. Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Hiroki Yokota

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  1. Xun Sun
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  2. Kexin Li
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Correspondence to Hiroki Yokota.

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Sun, X., Li, K., Li, BY. et al. Wnt signaling: a double-edged sword in protecting bone from cancer. J Bone Miner Metab 41, 365–370 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00774-022-01363-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00774-022-01363-1

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