Within our bodies’ cells, there is a pathway called the Wnt signaling pathway. Cellular pathways work like dominoes, one sends a signal to another, and there’s a chain reaction that happens. The Wnt pathway controls embryonic development and the formation of organs, maintains stem cells, regulates and maintains adult tissue, and helps keep the body healthy.
There are several genes found either within or associated with the Wnt signaling pathway that are being studied in clinical trials focused on GI cancers: APC, RNF43, AXIN1, AXIN2, GPC3, DKK1, and CTNNB1.
When the Wnt pathway is disrupted, it can lead to cancer because certain genes can get activated and go into hyperdrive. These cancers may become aggressive and tumors can escape the immune system.
When problems in the Wnt pathway form, several types of drugs targeting specific proteins may be explored.
Biomarker testing on solid tissue or blood can determine the status of certain markers within the Wnt pathway.
There are several clinical trials happening for GI cancer types expressing mutations or overexpressions within the Wnt pathway genes.
Ask your doctor how your biomarker test results are informing your treatment plan and if you qualify for any clinical trials.
