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PI3 kinase/AKT pathway as a therapeutic target in multiple myeloma

R Donald Harvey1, Sagar Lonial

  • 1Emory University School of Medicine, Winship Cancer Institute, 1365 C Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. rdharve@emory.edu

Future Oncology (London, England)
|November 29, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Targeting the PI3K/Akt pathway offers a novel therapeutic strategy for multiple myeloma. Inhibiting this pathway shows promise in controlling cancer cell growth and overcoming drug resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Multiple myeloma therapies require understanding cellular proliferation and survival mechanisms.
  • Targeting growth signal pathways is a promising complementary treatment approach.
  • The PI3K/Akt pathway regulates key cellular functions and is implicated in drug resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of the PI3K/Akt pathway in multiple myeloma.
  • To evaluate PI3K/Akt inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents.
  • To assess the combination of PI3K/Akt inhibitors with existing treatments.

Main Methods:

  • Review of established proteins and genes regulated by PI3K/Akt.
  • Analysis of preclinical data from cell-line and animal models of PI3K inhibition.
  • Examination of clinical trial data for PI3K/Akt inhibitors like SF1126 and perifosine.

Main Results:

  • Direct PI3K inhibition demonstrated significant tumor inhibition and regression in preclinical models.
  • Multiple PI3K and Akt inhibitors are under clinical investigation.
  • The PI3K/Akt pathway's regulation of mTOR, p53, NF-kappaB, and BAD supports its role as a therapeutic target.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting the PI3K/Akt pathway is a viable strategy for multiple myeloma treatment.
  • PI3K/Akt inhibitors show potential for monotherapy and combination therapy.
  • Further clinical development of these agents is warranted to improve patient outcomes.

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