Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies
Published on: September 30, 2016
Recent development of anticancer therapeutics targeting Akt
John K Morrow1, Lei Du-Cuny, Lu Chen
1The Integrated Molecular Discovery Laboratory, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Unit 36, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA.
The serine/threonine kinase Akt is a key cancer target, but developing effective Akt inhibitors remains challenging. This review examines recent patents and computer-aided drug design strategies for Akt-targeted cancer therapeutics.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- The serine/threonine kinase Akt plays a crucial role in cellular signaling pathways.
- Dysregulation of Akt signaling is implicated in various diseases, especially cancer.
- Akt is a validated target for anticancer drug development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent patents on Akt pathway modulators for cancer therapy.
- To discuss successes and challenges in developing Akt inhibitors.
- To highlight the role of computer-aided drug design in this field.
Main Methods:
- Patent analysis focusing on Akt pathway inhibitors.
- Review of in silico and computer-aided drug design approaches.
- Examination of structure-based drug design strategies.
Main Results:
- Numerous Akt inhibitors targeting specific domains have been developed.
- Computer-aided drug design has accelerated inhibitor discovery.
- Despite progress, no Akt-targeted therapeutics have reached the market.
Conclusions:
- Akt remains a promising target for cancer therapy.
- Further research and innovative strategies are needed to overcome development challenges.
- Computer-aided drug design offers a powerful approach for future Akt inhibitor development.
Related Concept Videos
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis
Cyclin-dependent kinases, or Cdks, work in concert with cyclins to control cell cycle transitions. M-Cdk, a complex of Cdk1 bound to M cyclin, is a well-known example of this coordinated control that drives the transition from the G2 to the M phase.
M cyclin...
