Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 6, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Transmembrane Protein Family-Related Markers in Gastric Cancer and Implications for Targeted Therapies
07:47

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Transmembrane Protein Family-Related Markers in Gastric Cancer and Implications for Targeted Therapies

Published on: September 15, 2023

1.6K

PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors as potential extracellular matrix modulators for targeting EMT subtype gastric tumors

Ponmathi Panneerpandian1, Kumaresan Ganesan2

  • 1Unit of Excellence in Cancer Genetics, Department of Genetics, Centre for Excellence in Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, India.

Medical Oncology (Northwood, London, England)
|March 19, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Extracellular matrix (ECM) gene expression is elevated in gastric tumors, particularly in diffuse and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) subtypes. Targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling may offer a therapeutic strategy for these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Targeting the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a promising strategy in cancer therapeutics.
  • Gastric cancer exhibits complex molecular heterogeneity, necessitating identification of novel therapeutic targets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify potential extracellular matrix (ECM) modulators for gastric cancer therapeutics.
  • To explore the relationship between ECM gene expression and drug sensitivity in gastric cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of gene expression profiles in gastric tumors versus normal tissues.
  • Derivation of a consensus ECM gene set.
  • Correlative analysis between ECM gene expression and drug sensitivity in gastric cancer cell lines.

Main Results:

  • Elevated expression of ECM genes was observed in gastric tumor tissues, with higher levels in diffuse and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) subtypes.
  • A negative correlation was found between ECM gene expression and sensitivity to drugs targeting PI3K/mTOR, chromatin histone acetylation, and ABL signaling.
  • These targeted pathways are involved in cell adhesion, differentiation, and EMT.

Conclusions:

  • Dysregulated ECM gene expression in gastric cancer suggests potential therapeutic vulnerabilities.
  • PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway modulators may be effective for targeted therapy in gastric cancer patients with altered ECM.
  • This study provides a basis for developing ECM-targeted therapies in gastric cancer.
Keywords:
AKTExtracellular matrixGastric cancerPI3KTargeted therapy

More Related Videos

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells06:54

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells

Published on: October 27, 2020

13.1K
Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies09:29

Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies

Published on: September 30, 2016

13.8K

Related Concept Videos

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
3.8K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.8K
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
6.6K