β-catenin at the crossroads of cancer and neurodevelopment

Caroline E Nunes-Xavier; Ana Rodríguez-Ramos; Rafael Pulido

doi:10.1016/j.trecan.2026.05.001

β-catenin at the crossroads of cancer and neurodevelopment

Trends Cancer. 2026 May 30:S2405-8033(26)00104-4. doi: 10.1016/j.trecan.2026.05.001. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Caroline E Nunes-Xavier¹, Ana Rodríguez-Ramos², Rafael Pulido³

Affiliations

¹ Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain; CIBERER, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain; Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: carolineelisabeth.nunes-xavier@bio-bizkaia.eus.
² Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain; CIBERER, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.
³ Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain; CIBERER, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain; Ikerbasque, the Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain. Electronic address: rafael.pulidomurillo@bio-bizkaia.eus.

PMID: 42215419
DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2026.05.001

Abstract

The essential role of β-catenin/CTNNB1 in cell development highlights its therapeutic potential in cancer and neurodevelopmental syndromes. Opposing functional alterations of β-catenin in these diseases reflect distinct pathogenic genetic events in CTNNB1, leading to antagonistic therapeutic approaches. A comprehensive understanding of β-catenin functions in physiology and pathology will facilitate the implementation of β-catenin/CTNNB1-based therapies.

Keywords: CTNNB1 syndrome; neurodevelopment; β-catenin.