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Emerging roles of non-coding RNAs in modulating the PI3K/Akt pathway in cancer

Mehrdad Hashemi1,2, Elaheh Mohandesi Khosroshahi1,2, Saba Asadi1,2

  • 1Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

Non-Coding RNA Research
|September 19, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulate the PI3K/Akt pathway, a key driver in cancer progression. Targeting ncRNAs offers a novel strategy for cancer therapy by modulating this crucial molecular axis.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Cancer progression involves dysregulated molecular pathways, necessitating targeted therapeutic strategies.
  • The Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Protein Kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway is frequently overexpressed in various cancers, promoting tumor growth and advancement.
  • Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are critical regulators of gene expression, found in both cellular compartments and influencing tumorigenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the regulatory mechanisms by which ncRNAs control the expression of the PI3K/Akt pathway.
  • To elucidate the role of the ncRNA/PI3K/Akt axis in key cancer processes such as proliferation, metastasis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
  • To explore the potential of targeting ncRNAs for cancer treatment by modulating the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of ncRNA interactions with PI3K and Akt gene promoters.
  • Assessment of ncRNA localization (cytoplasmic and nuclear) and its impact on gene expression.
  • Evaluation of the influence of the ncRNA/PI3K/Akt axis on cancer cell phenotypes, including proliferation, metastasis, and chemoresistance.

Main Results:

  • NcRNAs can modulate PI3K/Akt expression by binding to their promoter regions, either upregulating or downregulating activity.
  • The ncRNA/PI3K/Akt axis significantly impacts cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, EMT, and resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
  • NcRNAs regulate the PI3K/Akt pathway through both direct and indirect mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • NcRNAs are key regulators of the PI3K/Akt pathway, influencing critical aspects of cancer development and progression.
  • The ncRNA/PI3K/Akt axis represents a promising therapeutic target for novel anti-cancer strategies.
  • Modulating ncRNA expression or function could offer a new avenue for developing anti-tumor compounds to treat human cancers.
Keywords:
Cancer progressionCancer therapyChemotherapyNon-coding RNAsPTENRadiotherapy

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