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Assessment of Resistance to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors by an Interrogation of Signal Transduction Pathways by Antibody Arrays
07:42

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Published on: September 19, 2018

AKT/PKB signaling mechanisms in cancer and chemoresistance

Donghwa Kim1, Han C Dan, Sungman Park

  • 1Department of Pathology, University of South Florida College of Medicine and H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA.

Frontiers in Bioscience : a Journal and Virtual Library
|December 1, 2004
PubMed

Insights

The Akt pathway regulates cell growth and survival. Dysregulation of this pathway contributes to cancer and chemoresistance, making it a key target for anti-cancer drug development.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Signaling
  • Oncology

Background:

  • The Akt pathway, also known as protein kinase B (PKB), is a critical regulator of cellular processes.
  • It integrates extracellular and intracellular signals, influencing cell survival, growth, and metabolism.
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activation of Akt is antagonized by the tumor suppressor PTEN.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the Akt signaling mechanism in oncogenesis.
  • To explore the role of Akt in chemoresistance.
  • To discuss translational efforts targeting the Akt pathway for cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of Akt signaling pathways.
  • Analysis of Akt's role in cell survival, growth, differentiation, angiogenesis, migration, and metabolism.
  • Examination of PI3K/PTEN/Akt pathway alterations in human malignancies.

Main Results:

  • Over 30 Akt substrates have been identified, mediating diverse cellular effects.
  • The PI3K/PTEN/Akt pathway is frequently dysregulated in human cancers.
  • Akt overexpression promotes malignant transformation and chemoresistance.

Conclusions:

  • The Akt pathway is a pivotal player in cancer development and treatment resistance.
  • Targeting the Akt pathway holds significant promise for novel anti-cancer drug development.
  • Understanding Akt signaling is crucial for advancing cancer therapeutics.

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