Emerging Therapeutic Biomarkers in Endometrial Cancer

Figure 4

Targeting the CSC/EMT signaling pathways in EC. Tumor cells that undergo EMT not only increase their invasion ability, but also concurrently acquire cancer stem cell (CSC) properties. On the other hand, CSCs are associated with enhanced capacity to metastasize. At a molecular level, several signaling pathways involved in the self-renewal of CSCs, including Wnt/𝛽-catenin, Hedgehog, and Notch signaling, can also induce EMT programs. Specific inhibitors targeting these CSC and EMT pathways efficiently suppress the malignant phenotype of EC cells. Other potential therapeutic candidates for EC treatment include Stattic (inhibitor of STAT3), Rapamycin (mTOR inhibitor), and CD133.