AKT/mTOR Signal Cascade and Expression of PD-1, PD-L1, and PD-L2 in Gastric Cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• The role of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and programmed cell death protein (PD) ligands in gastric cancer development remains unclear.
• Understanding these molecular mechanisms is crucial for advancing gastric cancer treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the expression levels of AKT/mTOR pathway components and PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2 in gastric cancer.
• To identify how these molecular changes relate to tumor dissemination and metastasis.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of mRNA levels for AKT/mTOR pathway components.
• Assessment of protein expression for PD-1, PD-L1, and PD-L2.
• Correlation of expression patterns with clinical data, including the presence of distant metastases.

Main Results:

• Upregulation of mRNA for all investigated AKT/mTOR pathway components was observed.
• Decreased expression of mTOR and AKT proteins occurred alongside enhanced PTEN phosphatase expression.
• Significantly higher expression of PD-1 receptors and PD-L1, PD-L2 ligands was found in patients with distant metastases.

Conclusions:

• Expression alterations in the AKT/mTOR pathway and PD-1/PD-L1/PD-L2 system are linked to gastric cancer dissemination.
• PD-1/PD-L1/PD-L2 upregulation is particularly pronounced in advanced stages with distant metastasis, suggesting their potential as therapeutic targets.