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Diverse mechanisms of AKT pathway activation in human malignancy

Mitchell Cheung1, Joseph R Testa

  • 1Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-2497, USA.

Current Cancer Drug Targets
|January 10, 2013
PubMed

Insights

The AKT signaling pathway regulates cell growth and survival. Dysregulation of this pathway is implicated in various cancers and overgrowth disorders, offering targets for cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • AKT/Protein Kinase B (PKB) are crucial signaling proteins.
  • They mediate signals from receptor tyrosine kinases and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase.
  • AKT signaling is vital for cell proliferation, survival, size, invasion, and angiogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Discuss the role of AKT signaling in tumorigenesis.
  • Highlight AKT mutations in somatic overgrowth disorders.
  • Review AKT pathway activation in human cancers and therapeutic implications.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of AKT signaling in cancer and overgrowth.
  • Analysis of genetic alterations in AKT pathway components.
  • Examination of molecularly targeted therapies for AKT-driven cancers.

Main Results:

  • Deregulated AKT signaling is linked to sporadic cancers and inherited cancer syndromes.
  • Activating mutations in AKT1, AKT2, and AKT3 are associated with Proteus syndrome, hypoglycemia with hypertrophy, and hemimegalencephaly.
  • Various mechanisms of AKT pathway activation exist in human cancers.

Conclusions:

  • The AKT pathway is a significant player in cancer development and progression.
  • Targeting the AKT pathway holds promise for novel cancer therapies.
  • Understanding AKT signaling is crucial for treating both cancer and overgrowth disorders.

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