Insights into recent findings and clinical application of YAP and TAZ in cancer

Abstract

Decades of research have mapped out the basic mechanics of the Hippo pathway. The paralogues Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), as the central transcription control module of the Hippo pathway, have long been implicated in the progression of various human cancers. The current literature regarding oncogenic YAP and TAZ activities consists mostly of context-specific mechanisms and treatments of human cancers. Furthermore, a growing number of studies demonstrate tumour-suppressor functions of YAP and TAZ. In this Review we aim to synthesize an integrated perspective of the many disparate findings regarding YAP and TAZ in cancer. We then conclude with the various strategies for targeting and treating YAP- and TAZ-dependent cancers. The activities of YAP and TAZ have long been associated with cancer progression. In this Review, Franklin et al. provide an integrated perspective on the latest understandings of YAP and TAZ activation, including their role as a tumour suppressor, as well as advances in YAP and TAZ therapeutic treatments.