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Association between AKT/mTOR signalling pathway and malignancy grade of human gliomas

Xue-Yuan Li1, Lian-Qun Zhang, Xue-Guang Zhang

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan City, 250012 Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.

Journal of Neuro-Oncology
|September 30, 2010
PubMed

Insights

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway proteins pAKT, pmTOR, and p-p70S6K are present in human gliomas. Higher expression levels of these mTOR pathway proteins correlate with increased glioma malignancy grade.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway regulates cell growth and proliferation.
  • mTOR pathway is a potential therapeutic target for cancer.
  • The association between mTOR pathway and glioma malignancy grade requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of key mTOR pathway proteins in human gliomas.
  • To determine the correlation between mTOR pathway protein expression and glioma malignancy grade.

Main Methods:

  • Tumor tissues from 87 Chinese glioma patients were analyzed.
  • Semi-quantitative immunohistochemical techniques were used to measure pAKT, pmTOR, and p-p70S6K expression.
  • Glioma tissues were classified into grades I-II, III, and IV.

Main Results:

  • pAKT, pmTOR, and p-p70S6K were expressed in 72.4%, 74.7%, and 72.4% of glioma patients, respectively.
  • All three proteins were co-expressed in 48.3% of patients.
  • Very strong expression of pAKT, pmTOR, and p-p70S6K was significantly higher in grade IV gliomas compared to grades I/II (P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

  • mTOR pathway proteins pAKT, pmTOR, and p-p70S6K are expressed across all human glioma malignancy grades.
  • Elevated levels of these proteins are associated with higher glioma malignancy grades.
  • These findings suggest the mTOR pathway's role in glioma progression.

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