Targeting mTOR as a Cancer Therapy: Recent Advances in Natural Bioactive Compounds and Immunotherapy

Area of Science:

• Cellular Biology
• Molecular Oncology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central regulator of cell metabolism, growth, proliferation, and survival.
• mTOR signaling, through its complexes mTORC1 and mTORC2, influences critical cellular functions including protein synthesis, autophagy, lipid metabolism, and mRNA translation.
• Dysregulation of the mTOR pathway is a significant factor in the development and progression of numerous human cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in understanding the mTOR signaling pathway.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of mTOR involvement in diverse human cancer types.
• To summarize the progress in developing mTOR inhibitors and their potential combination therapies for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent scientific publications on mTOR signaling in cancer.
• Analysis of the molecular roles of mTOR in cancer hallmarks like apoptosis, cell cycle, and proliferation.
• Compilation of data on various mTOR inhibitors, including natural and synthetic compounds, and their mechanisms of action.

Main Results:

• The mTOR pathway is critically involved in cancer development, affecting apoptosis, cell cycle, and proliferation.
• mTOR dysregulation is observed in a wide range of cancers, including breast, lung, colon, and reproductive cancers.
• Various mTOR inhibitors, natural and synthetic, are under investigation, with potential for combination with immunotherapies.

Conclusions:

• The mTOR signaling system is a potential cancer biomarker due to its significant role in tumorigenesis.
• Targeting mTOR represents a promising strategy for anti-tumor therapy research.
• Further research into mTOR inhibitors and their rational combinations with other therapies could lead to improved cancer treatments.