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The PKB/AKT pathway in cancer

Amancio Carnero1

  • 1Experimental Therapeutics Programme, Spanish National Cancer Centre (CNIO), C/Melchor Fernandez Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain. acarnero@cnio.es

Current Pharmaceutical Design
|March 11, 2010
PubMed

Insights

The AKT pathway, crucial for cell signaling, is frequently altered in cancer. Targeting this pathway offers a promising strategy for developing novel cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • The Protein Kinase B (PKB)/AKT pathway regulates essential biological processes.
  • Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) counteracts phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) by hydrolyzing phosphatidyl-inositol,3,4,5 triphosphate (PIP3).
  • Aberrant signaling in the AKT pathway, including PTEN loss and PI3K activation, is implicated in various cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the significance of the AKT pathway as a therapeutic target in cancer.
  • To review the genetic alterations within the AKT pathway components observed in human cancers.
  • To underscore the potential of inhibiting the AKT pathway for cancer chemotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on the AKT pathway and its role in cancer.
  • Analysis of genetic alterations (mutations, deletions, methylation) in pathway components.
  • Examination of therapeutic strategies targeting PI3Ks, PDK1, AKT, and mTOR.

Main Results:

  • PTEN loss (via mutation, deletion, methylation) is frequent in human cancers.
  • Activating mutations in PI3K contribute to tumorigenesis.
  • The AKT pathway is a druggable target, with multiple inhibitors under development.

Conclusions:

  • The AKT pathway is a critical regulator of cell signaling and is frequently dysregulated in cancer.
  • Targeting the AKT pathway presents a promising therapeutic avenue for cancer treatment.
  • Cancer cells may exhibit "addiction" to this activated pathway, increasing their vulnerability to inhibitors.

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