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Exploring the mTOR Signalling Pathway and Its Inhibitory Scope in Cancer

Suhail Ahmad Mir1, Ashraf Dar2, Saad Ali Alshehri3

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 29, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling is crucial for cell growth and metabolism. Dysregulated mTOR pathways are common in cancer, leading to the development of mTOR inhibitors for anti-cancer therapeutics.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Signaling
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central protein kinase regulating cellular processes like growth, metabolism, survival, apoptosis, and autophagy.
  • mTOR exists in two complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, with distinct regulatory inputs and downstream effectors.
  • mTOR signaling is frequently dysregulated in approximately 70% of human cancers, highlighting its role in tumorigenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current developments in understanding the mTOR signaling pathway.
  • To explore the significance of targeting mTOR signaling in the development of anti-cancer therapeutics.
  • To discuss the role of mTORC1 and mTORC2 complexes in cellular regulation and cancer.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review article, synthesizing existing research on mTOR signaling.
  • The review focuses on the regulatory mechanisms of mTORC1 and mTORC2.
  • It examines downstream effectors such as S6K1 and 4E-BP1 and their role in cancer.

Main Results:

  • Dysregulation of mTOR signaling pathways is a hallmark of many cancers.
  • mTORC1, regulated by growth factors and nutrient status, influences anabolic and catabolic processes.
  • The development of mTOR inhibitors represents a promising strategy for cancer treatment.

Conclusions:

  • The mTOR pathway is a critical regulator of cell physiology and is implicated in cancer development.
  • Targeting mTOR signaling with inhibitors offers a viable therapeutic approach for various cancers.
  • Further research into mTOR pathway dynamics and inhibitor efficacy is essential for advancing cancer therapy.
Keywords:
cancermTOR inhibitorsmTORC1/2rapamycinregulation of mTOR signalling pathway

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