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PI3K/AKT/mTOR Dysregulation and Reprogramming Metabolic Pathways in Renal Cancer: Crosstalk with the VHL/HIF Axis

Silviu Constantin Badoiu1, Maria Greabu2, Daniela Miricescu2

  • 1Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Eroii Sanitari Blvd, 050474 Bucharest, Romania.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|May 13, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) involves metabolic reprogramming, particularly the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Understanding these alterations is key to targeting kidney cancer progression and survival.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Metabolism

Background:

  • Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common kidney cancer, with clear cell RCC (ccRCC) being the deadliest subtype.
  • Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer, enabling survival in harsh tumor microenvironments and promoting metastasis.
  • Dysregulation of metabolic pathways, including glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolism, is observed in RCC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review renal cancer types and their associated metabolic alterations.
  • To explore the dysregulation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-AKT-mammalian target of the rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) signaling pathway in renal cancer.
  • To examine the interplay between the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, the VHL/HIF axis, and metabolic changes in RCC.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of renal cell carcinoma, metabolic reprogramming, and signaling pathways.
  • Analysis of alterations in carbohydrate, lipid, and amino acid metabolism in RCC.
  • Investigation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and its crosstalk with the VHL/HIF axis.

Main Results:

  • RCC exhibits significant metabolic dysregulations, affecting sugar, lipid, and amino acid processing.
  • The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is frequently dysregulated in renal cancer, correlating with tumor growth and survival.
  • Metabolic reprogramming is crucial for cancer cell survival, proliferation, and metastasis in oxygen-deprived conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Metabolic reprogramming, especially involving the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and VHL/HIF axis, is central to RCC pathogenesis.
  • Targeting these metabolic alterations presents a promising therapeutic strategy for renal cell carcinoma.
  • Further research into the complex metabolic landscape of RCC is warranted to develop effective treatments.
Keywords:
PI3K/AKT/mTORVHL/HIF axismetabolismrenal cancer

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