Targeting the Hippo/YAP/TAZ signalling pathway: Novel opportunities for therapeutic interventions into skin cancers

Exp Dermatol. 2022 Oct;31(10):1477-1499. doi: 10.1111/exd.14655. Epub 2022 Aug 12.

Abstract

Skin cancers are by far the most frequently diagnosed human cancers. The closely related transcriptional co-regulator proteins YAP and TAZ (WWTR1) have emerged as important drivers of tumour initiation, progression and metastasis in melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. YAP/TAZ serve as an essential signalling hub by integrating signals from multiple upstream pathways. In this review, we summarize the roles of YAP/TAZ in skin physiology and tumorigenesis and discuss recent efforts of therapeutic interventions that target YAP/TAZ in in both preclinical and clinical settings, as well as their prospects for use as skin cancer treatments.

Keywords: Hippo signalling; basal cell carcinoma; epidermis; melanoma; skin cancer; squamous cell carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing* / metabolism
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Skin Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcriptional Coactivator with PDZ-Binding Motif Proteins
  • YAP-Signaling Proteins

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • Transcriptional Coactivator with PDZ-Binding Motif Proteins
  • YAP-Signaling Proteins