The hedgehog signaling pathway in thryoid cancer

Hedgehog signaling pathway plays an important role in embryonic development and tissue differentiation in mammals, determining the growth and proliferation of cells. Many studies have revealed that aberrant activation of Hedgehog signaling pathway is found in carcinogenesis, which are involved in tumor proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer stem cell regulation and drug resistance. Thus, the studies of Hedgehog signaling pathway opens a new way for the multimodality therapy and targeted therapy of thyroid cancer. This review summarizes the relationship of Hedgehog signaling pathway and thyroid cancer. Key words: Hedgehog; Sinaling pathway; Thyroid; Thyroid cancer; Carcinoma; Cancer stem cells