Abstract:

The Wnt signaling pathway plays an important role in cell proliferation, differentiation and carcinogenesis. Aberrant activation of the Wnt signaling pathway is a major trait of many human tumors. Dickkopf-related protein 3（DKK-3）, an antagonist of Wnt signaling pathway， is involved in different stages of tumor development. The research on the biological function of DKK-3 and the mechanism of inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway may have important significance of tumor diagnosis， treatment and prognosis. In this paper， we reviewed the biological role of DKK-3， the function of DKK-3 in different stages of tumor development， and the potential clinical value of DKK-3 expression and DKK-3 promoter methylation as a tumor biomarker and molecular target.