Wnt ligands in breast cancer metastasis: unraveling their dual roles and therapeutic potential
摘要
Breast cancer metastasis represents not only the most advanced stage of the disease but also the leading cause of breast cancer-related mortality. Despite notable advances in early detection and primary treatment, the emergence of metastasis frequently leads to therapeutic failure and poor survival outcomes. Metastasis is driven by complex molecular alterations and dynamic interactions between tumor cells and the surrounding microenvironment. Among the regulatory pathways implicated, Wnt signaling plays a central role in orchestrating metastatic progression. Notably, Wnt ligands demonstrate context-dependent and dual functionality. They may promote metastasis by enhancing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), stemness, and cellular motility, or conversely, act to preserve tissue homeostasis and restrain invasion depending on tumor subtype, microenvironmental cues, and downstream signaling networks. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the context-dependent roles of Wnt ligands in breast cancer metastasis, highlighting their impact on EMT, stemness, immune evasion, and organ-specific colonization. We also discuss recent advances in therapeutically targeting Wnt signaling, along with the challenges and opportunities in clinical translation. Understanding the complex and dual-function signaling mediated by Wnt ligands can be helpful for the development of precision medicine strategies aimed at improving outcomes in breast cancer patients.
Graphical abstractSchematic illustration of the metastatic process in breast cancer, depicting the involvement of the Wnt signaling pathway in key stages: epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), local invasion, intravasation into the bloodstream, extravasation, and formation of distant metastases. The dual roles of Wnt ligands are represented by activating (green) and inhibitory (red) influences on these steps, underscoring their therapeutic potential.