Abstract: Research Advances in the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Gastric CancerYaqin HAO, LiWANGCorrespondence to: LiWANG, E-email: wangli380@yahoo.com.cnDepartment of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, ChinaAbstract The Hedgehog signaling pathway involves cells originating from the endoderm. It plays a crucial role in embryonic de-velopment, pattern formation and cell fate. Its mutation or abnormal expression can result in malformations of various tissues and or-gans. After maturation of the individual, the Hedgehog signaling pathway is either not expressed, has low expression or is only ex-pressed in a few specific parts. This pathway is important for maintaining normal organ function and a stable internal environment.However, many studies have revealed that abnormal expression of the Hedgehog signaling pathway is found in carcinogenesis. Thesestudies also determined that this pathway can be activated by mutations or other mechanisms, leading to abnormal expression in adulttissue. It appears to play a crucial role in the development of tumors, including basal cell cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, colorectalcancer, and pancreatic cancer. A special inhibitor of the Hedgehog signaling pathway can inhibit the proliferation of these tumor cells.Gastric cancer is a significant threat to human health; as a malignant disease, it ranks second worldwide and first in China in incidenceand mortality. It has been reported that there is an abnormal activation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway in gastric cancer. How doesthe Hedgehog signaling pathway lead to gastric cancer? This review summarizes the relationship between the Hedgehog signaling path-way and the development of gastric cancer by examining the mechanism of activation of the hedgehog signaling pathway, mutations,the non-canonical Hedgehog signaling pathway, gastric cancer stem cells, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.Keywords Gastric neoplasms; Hedgehog signaling pathway; Stem cells; Epithelial-mesenchymal transition