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mTOR: Role in cancer, metastasis and drug resistance

Avaniyapuram Kannan Murugan1

  • 1Department of Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, PO Box 3354, Research Center (MBC 03), Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia.

Seminars in Cancer Biology
|August 14, 2019
PubMed

Insights

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway regulates cell growth and is often deregulated in cancer. This review covers mTOR

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a key kinase regulating fundamental cellular processes.
  • mTOR integrates signals from nutrients, growth factors, and environmental cues.
  • Deregulation of mTOR signaling is implicated in various human cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the structure and biological functions of mTOR.
  • To discuss the genetic alterations, signaling pathways, and therapeutic targeting of mTOR in cancer.
  • To explore the role of mTOR in precision medicine and cancer treatment resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific publications on mTOR.
  • Analysis of genetic deregulation, including amplifications and mutations.
  • Examination of mTOR-mediated signaling in cell growth promotion.

Main Results:

  • mTOR's critical role in protein synthesis, cell growth, metabolism, and autophagy is highlighted.
  • Activating somatic mutations and amplifications of mTOR are identified in human cancers.
  • mTOR inhibitors show efficacy in treating malignancies and are used as immunosuppressors.

Conclusions:

  • mTOR is a crucial regulator of cellular functions and a significant target in cancer therapy.
  • Understanding mTOR deregulation and resistance mechanisms is vital for precision medicine.
  • Ongoing research continues to advance the therapeutic targeting of mTOR in oncology.
Keywords:
CancerInhibitorsMetastasisMolecular targetMutationOncogenePrecision medicineResistancemTOR

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