在本章中，我们试图阐明hedgehog信号通路在肿瘤发生中的相关性。在这里，我们描述了不同类型的刺猬信号传导（规范和非规范），重点介绍了它在肿瘤发生过程中采用的不同机制（突变驱动、自分泌、旁分泌和反向旁分泌）。我们讨论了刺猬信号在调节局部和晚期癌症类型的细胞增殖、侵袭和上皮间质转化中的作用，正如基于临床前和临床模型的不同研究所报道的那样。我们还专门讨论了刺猬信号在侵袭性神经内分泌肿瘤中的作用。我们还详细阐述了显示刺猬信号抑制剂在癌症中的治疗相关性的研究。还简要讨论了刺猬信号通路与其他信号通路的串扰以及肿瘤异质性导致的治疗耐药性的证据。我们共同努力，总结了刺猬信号传导在各种癌症（特别是侵袭性肿瘤类型）中的治疗潜力的研究汇编，并展望了哪些方面尚缺乏并需要进一步研究。版权所有 © 2024。由 Elsevier Inc. 出版。

In this chapter, we have made an attempt to elucidate the relevance of hedgehog signaling pathway in tumorigenesis. Here, we have described different types of hedgehog signaling (canonical and non-canonical) with emphasis on the different mechanisms (mutation-driven, autocrine, paracrine and reverse paracrine) it adopts during tumorigenesis. We have discussed the role of hedgehog signaling in regulating cell proliferation, invasion and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in both local and advanced cancer types, as reported in different studies based on preclinical and clinical models. We have specifically addressed the role of hedgehog signaling in aggressive neuroendocrine tumors as well. We have also elaborated on the studies showing therapeutic relevance of the inhibitors of hedgehog signaling in cancer. Evidence of the crosstalk of hedgehog signaling components with other signaling pathways and treatment resistance due to tumor heterogeneity have also been briefly discussed. Together, we have tried to put forward a compilation of the studies on therapeutic potential of hedgehog signaling in various cancers, specifically aggressive tumor types with a perspective into what is lacking and demands further investigation.Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.