The Hippo signaling pathway was originally characterized by genetic studies in Drosophila to regulate tissue growth and organ size, and the core components of this pathway are highly conserved in mammals. Studies over the past two decades have revealed critical physiological and pathological functions of the Hippo tumor-suppressor pathway, which is tightly regulated by a broad range of intracellular and extracellular signals. These properties enable the Hippo pathway to serve as an important controller in organismal development and adult tissue homeostasis. Dysregulation of the Hippo signaling has been observed in many cancer types, suggesting the possibility of cancer treatment by targeting the Hippo pathway. The general consensus is that Hippo has tumor suppressor function. However, growing evidence also suggests that the function of the Hippo pathway in malignancy is cancer context dependent as recent studies indicating tumor promoting function of LATS. This article surveys the Hippo pathway signaling mechanisms and then reviews both the tumor suppressing and promoting function of this pathway. A comprehensive understanding of the dual roles of the Hippo pathway in cancer will benefit future therapeutic targeting of the Hippo pathway for cancer treatment.

Hippo信号通路最初是通过在果蝇中进行基因研究来调节组织生长和器官大小的，该通路的核心成分在哺乳动物中高度保守。过去二十年的研究揭示了 Hippo 肿瘤抑制途径的关键生理和病理功能，该途径受到广泛的细胞内和细胞外信号的严格调节。这些特性使 Hippo 通路能够作为有机体发育和成人组织稳态的重要控制器。在许多癌症类型中都观察到 Hippo 信号的失调，这表明通过靶向 Hippo 通路来治疗癌症的可能性。普遍的共识是河马具有抑癌功能。然而，越来越多的证据还表明，Hippo 通路在恶性肿瘤中的功能依赖于癌症背景，因为最近的研究表明 LATS 的肿瘤促进功能。本文调查了 Hippo 通路的信号传导机制，然后回顾了该通路的肿瘤抑制和促进功能。全面了解 Hippo 通路在癌症中的双重作用将有利于未来将 Hippo 通路靶向治疗癌症。