Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Targeted Therapy for Ovarian Cancer

Epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) is the most frequent type of ovarian malignancies and the most lethal gynecologic malignancy in the United States. To date, in spite of though ovarian cytoreductive surgery combined with effectively postoperative chemotherapy, the prognosis has remained unsatisfied. Recently, it has become increasingly clear that in many instances, the signaling pathway and molecule that regulate the development of different tissues are the same. When inappropriately regulated, these signal pathway and molecules would promote tumorigenesis and carcinogenesis. In this review, we will discuss the possible involvement of hedgehog(Hh) signaling pathway in the normal biology and carcinogenesis development in the ovary. The assays in vitro and in vivo have assisted the process of exploring the mechanisms of Hhdriven formation and growth of ovarian cancer. Based on recent studies, we conclude that the inhibition of Hh signaling pathway may interfere with proliferation of ovarian cancer cells and tumor growth in vivo. The molecules of the Hh signaling pathway may provide a serial of drug targets, which could be implemented into the crucial combined strategies for the treatment of ovarian cancer.