Journal Article Review Epublish 4 citations
PubMed: 36497305 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235822
Dickkopf-3: An Update on a Potential Regulator of the Tumor Microenvironment.
Cancers (Basel) 14(23)
Authors: Zainab Al Shareef, Mai Nidal Asad Ershaid, Rula Mudhafar, Sameh S M Soliman, Robert M Kypta
Affiliations
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates.
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates.
- College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates.
- CIC BioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance, BRTA, Bizkaia Technology Park, 48160 Derio, Spain.
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK.
Abstract
Dickkopf-3 (Dkk-3) is a member of the Dickkopf family protein of secreted Wingless-related integration site (Wnt) antagonists that appears to modulate regulators of the host microenvironment. In contrast to the clear anti-tumorigenic effects of Dkk-3-based gene therapies, the role of endogenous Dkk-3 in cancer is context-dependent, with elevated expression associated with tumor promotion and suppression in different settings. The receptors and effectors that mediate the diverse effects of Dkk-3 have not been characterized in detail, contributing to an ongoing mystery of its mechanism of action. This review compares the various functions of Dkk-3 in the tumor microenvironment, where Dkk-3 has been found to be expressed by subpopulations of fibroblasts, endothelial, and immune cells, in addition to epithelial cells. We also discuss how the activation or inhibition of Dkk-3, depending on tumor type and context, might be used to treat different types of cancers.
MeSH
Cells, Neoplasms, Tumor Microenvironment
Cited by
- DKK1 and Its Receptors in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: A Promising Molecular Target. Diagnostics (Basel), 2025