Conditional beta-catenin loss in mice promotes chemical hepatocarcinogenesis: role of oxidative stress and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha/phosphoinositide 3-kinase signaling

Loss of beta-catenin impairs the liver's ability to counteract DEN-induced oxidative stress and enhances tumorigenesis through PDGFRalpha/PIK3CA/Akt signaling. Blockade of PDGFRalpha or oxidative stress dramatically affects beta-catenin-deficient tumorigenesis. Also, hepatoma cells use PDGFRalpha/PIK3CA signaling as an escape mechanism following beta-catenin suppression, and their sequential suppression profoundly impedes tumor proliferation.