Cell signaling plays a critical role in normal development and maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Aberrant cell-to-cell signaling can contribute to abnormal development, diseases, and cancer. In the first part of this lecture, the role of Wnt-signaling and its related pathways in neuro development and cancer will be discussed. One of the biggest challenges in cancer treatment is treatment resistance and there is a great need for drugs that can enhance radiation therapy or chemotherapy responsiveness in cancer. In the second part, this presentation will discuss the development and efficacy of Wnt-signaling inhibitors and cancer stem cell targeted therapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Possible utility of biophotonics and radiomics in effective early diagnosis of cancer and identification of cancer biomarkers will be explored.
