Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Protects Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Against Ionizing Radiation in an Autocrine Manner

A critical role of autocrine sonic hedgehog signaling in human CD138+ myeloma cell survival and drug resistance

“…[32][33][34][35][36] Additionally, the biological functions of autocrine Hh signaling have also been demonstrated in morphogenesis, pathophysiologic processes, and tumorigenesis. [37][38][39][40] However, autocrine Hh signaling in tumors was demonstrated in experiments that showed the inhibition of tumor growth via the Hh ligand-neutralizing antibody, 41,42 treatment with cyclopamine, 43 or RNA interference-mediated knockdown of SMO or GLI1. 44 Autocrine Hh ligand has not directly been shown to activate the Hh signaling pathway.…”

Melittin induces PTCH1 expression by down-regulating MeCP2 in human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells

“…Furthermore, the aberrant activation of Shh signaling was proposed to protect HCC cells against ionizing radiation in an autocrine manner by facilitating DNA damage repair (Lu et al, 2012). Combining a Shh inhibitor with radiotherapy (RT) could enhance human HCC cells and orthotopic tumor radiosensitivity (Chen et al, 2011). These reports suggest that Shh signaling plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of HCC.…”

Activation of the hedgehog pathway in gastroesophageal cancers

“…, 100 101 Gastric epithelial stem cells may be the cellular origin of gastric cancer. 102,103 Under mucosal injury and inflammation, mature gastric chief cells act as cryptic progenitors and reacquire the ability of proliferation. 104 Study of Hh signaling in gastric cancer stem cells has just begun.…”