The Hedgehog signaling pathway plays an important role in regulating proper growth and development in the early stages of life and then becomes less active in adults.
Genentech Global Product Development chief medical officer and head Hal Barron said these results are important because people with this disfiguring and potentially life-threatening advanced form of skin cancer currently have no approved treatment options.
"We look forward to presenting the study data in more detail and discussing the results with global health authorities," Barron said.