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Published on: July 21, 2018

Expression and clinical significance of mTOR in surgically resected non-small cell lung cancer tissues: a case

Zhe Liu1, Liang Wang, Li-Na Zhang

  • 1Department of Oncology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University of China, Beijing, China. liuzhe1968@yahoo.com.cn

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP
|March 8, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling is dysregulated in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). Targeting mTOR in combination with IGF-1R and PTEN may offer new NSCLC treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is crucial in regulating cell growth and is implicated in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs).
  • Understanding the expression patterns of mTOR and its associated molecules like PTEN, IGF-1R, and 4EBP1 is vital for NSCLC pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the mRNA and protein expression levels of mTOR and its regulators (PTEN, IGF-1R, 4EBP1) in NSCLC tissues.
  • To investigate the associations between the expression of these molecules and clinical characteristics in NSCLC patients.

Main Methods:

  • RT-PCR was used to quantify mRNA levels of mTOR, PTEN, IGF-1R, and 4EBP1.
  • Immunohistochemistry (IHC) assessed protein expression of mTOR, PTEN, and IGF-1R.
  • Statistical analyses explored correlations between molecular expression and clinical features.

Main Results:

  • NSCLC tissues showed increased mTOR mRNA expression, while PTEN, 4EBP1, and IGF-1R mRNA levels decreased.
  • High IGF-1R expression correlated with advanced clinical stage (Stage III); PTEN expression was inversely associated with tumor size.
  • mTOR protein was detected in 51.8% of cases, IGF-1R in 83.3%, and PTEN loss in 46.3%.

Conclusions:

  • Aberrant mTOR signaling, elevated IGF-1R, and reduced PTEN expression are prevalent in resected NSCLC.
  • The limited concordance between mTOR and its regulators suggests combination therapies targeting mTOR inhibitors with other agents hold promise for NSCLC treatment.

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