Hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitors: an updated patent review (2015–present)
Introduction: Hedgehog (Hh) signaling plays a pivotal role in tissue development and stemness, and its deregulation is found in many different tumors. Several efforts have been devoted to discovery of Hh inhibitors, including three drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), targeting the upstream receptor smoothened (SMO). However, SMO mutations or SMO-independent Hh pathway activation raise the need for novel Hh inhibitors. Areas covered: This review describes Hh inhibitors with anticancer potential patented in the period 2015–present.