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Published on: June 6, 2025
SYK regulates mTOR signaling in AML
J Carnevale1, L Ross, A Puissant
1Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) regulates key signaling pathways in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Inhibiting SYK impacts mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, affecting AML cell growth.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Hematology
Background:
- Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) is a novel target in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
- The precise role of SYK in AML pathogenesis remains unclear.
- Prior studies suggest SYK interacts with mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling in lymphoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanistic role of SYK in AML.
- To determine if SYK regulates mTOR signaling in AML.
- To explore the impact of SYK inhibition on AML cell viability and differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized small-molecule SYK inhibitors and SYK-directed shRNA in AML models.
- Assessed the effects of SYK inhibition on mTOR, AKT, PI3K, MAPK, MEK, and ERK signaling.
- Evaluated changes in AML cell viability and differentiation following pathway modulation.
Main Results:
- SYK inhibition suppressed mTOR and its downstream effectors, including AKT.
- Combined SYK and PI3K pathway inhibition synergistically enhanced anti-leukemic effects.
- Observed heterogeneous MAPK pathway responses, with RAS-mutated AML showing paradoxical MEK/ERK phosphorylation increases.
Conclusions:
- SYK acts as a regulator of both mTOR and MAPK signaling cascades in AML.
- Targeting the PI3K pathway potentiates the therapeutic effects of SYK inhibition in AML.
- Understanding SYK's role offers potential new therapeutic strategies for AML treatment.
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