Association of CTNNB1 (β-Catenin) Alterations, Body Mass Index, and Physical Activity With Survival in Patients With Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Activation of the WNT signaling pathway and its major mediator cadherin-associated protein β 1 (CTNNB1; the HUGO-approved official symbol for β-catenin), most commonly by loss of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), plays a critical role in colorectal carcinogenesis.¹ The WNT signaling pathway is a potential therapeutic target.^2,3 Inactivation of kinases in the APC complex leads to accumulation of cytoplasmic CTNNB1 and its translocation to the nucleus, in which it acts as a coactivator with the transcription factor (TCF) family (Figure 1).⁴ Proliferative genes regulated by WNT-CTNNB1 signaling such as the oncogene MYC and cell cycle regulator cyclin D1 (CCND1) contribute to tumor progression.¹