Ovarian cancer is a leading gynecological
malignancy associated with high mortality. Hedgehog signaling has been found to be important for cell proliferation and
tumor growth for multiple
cancers, including
ovarian cancer. The present study showed that the
drug cyclopamine, which blocks the hedgehog signaling pathway, could reduce
cancer cell growth and proliferation and induce cell apoptosis. In addition, the silencing of the
glioma-associated oncogene (Gli)3, a downstream component of the hedgehog signaling pathway, could further enhance the antitumor effects of
cyclopamine. Our results suggest that Gli3 may act as resistance to
cyclopamine's effect on
tumor growth. The combined treatment of
cyclopamine application and Gli3 silencing
therapy, therefore, may provide novel directions for clinical management of
ovarian cancer.