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Clinical Development of AKT Inhibitors and Associated Predictive Biomarkers to Guide Patient Treatment in Cancer

Niamh Coleman1, Justin T Moyers1,2, Alice Harbery3

  • 1Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.

Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine
|December 3, 2021
PubMed

Insights

The serine/threonine kinase AKT pathway is crucial in cancer. AKT inhibitors show promise, but identifying biomarkers for response and resistance is essential for effective cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling cascade regulates cell growth, proliferation, survival, and metabolism.
  • AKT pathway dysregulation is prevalent in human cancers, driving tumor development and progression.
  • AKT is a key target for cancer therapeutics, with numerous inhibitors in clinical development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the biological role and activation of AKT in cancer.
  • To summarize clinical trial data on AKT inhibitor monotherapy and combination strategies.
  • To discuss challenges and opportunities in developing AKT inhibitors and predictive biomarkers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of AKT signaling in cancer.
  • Analysis of clinical trial data for AKT inhibitors.
  • Discussion of biomarker strategies for AKT-targeted therapies.

Main Results:

  • AKT pathway is frequently activated in various solid tumors.
  • AKT inhibitors demonstrate therapeutic potential, with ongoing clinical trials.
  • Predictive biomarkers for AKT inhibitor response and resistance are currently lacking.

Conclusions:

  • AKT inhibitors represent a promising therapeutic strategy in oncology.
  • Further research is needed to identify reliable biomarkers for patient selection.
  • Combination strategies and biomarker development are critical for optimizing AKT-targeted therapy efficacy.
Keywords:
AKTAKT inhibitorPI3Km-TOR

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