Targeting the mTOR pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma: current state and future trends

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a key regulator of cell growth, metabolism, and aging.
• mTOR is frequently upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), correlating with poor prognosis and tumor recurrence.
• Rapamycin and rapalogs have demonstrated preclinical efficacy in reducing HCC tumor growth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of mTOR signaling in HCC.
• To discuss the therapeutic potential of mTOR inhibitors in HCC treatment.
• To highlight ongoing and future clinical trials involving mTOR inhibitors for HCC.

Main Methods:

• Preclinical studies on mTOR inhibition in HCC models.
• Clinical trials investigating rapamycin, rapalogs, and second-generation mTOR inhibitors in HCC.
• Review of existing literature on mTOR signaling and HCC.

Main Results:

• mTOR inhibitors have shown promising tumor growth reduction in preclinical HCC models.
• Rapalogs are currently in clinical trials for advanced HCC and as adjuvant therapy.
• Second-generation mTOR inhibitors are under investigation in solid cancers, including HCC models.

Conclusions:

• mTOR pathway is a critical target in HCC therapy.
• mTOR inhibitors represent a promising therapeutic strategy for HCC.
• Clinical trial outcomes for mTOR inhibitors in HCC are anticipated soon.