Targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in lung cancer: mechanisms and therapeutic targeting

Min Qiang1,2, Zhe Chen1, Hongyang Liu2

  • 1Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.

PubMed

Insights

Lung cancer (LC) is a leading cause of cancer death. This review explores the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PAM) pathway and natural products for LC treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Lung cancer (LC) is the most common malignancy globally, characterized by a high mortality rate.
  • The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PAM) signaling pathway is crucial for cellular functions, including growth, survival, and proliferation.
  • Dysregulation of the PAM pathway is implicated in various cancers, including LC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review preclinical and clinical studies on the PAM signaling pathway in lung cancer.
  • To highlight the potential of natural products as therapeutic agents targeting the PAM pathway in LC.
  • To discuss combination therapies and future directions for LC treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of preclinical and clinical studies.
  • Synthesis of existing research on the PAM pathway in LC.
  • Analysis of natural products targeting the PAM pathway.

Main Results:

  • The PAM pathway plays a significant role in LC development and progression.
  • Natural products show promise in targeting the PAM pathway for LC treatment.
  • Combination therapies may enhance treatment efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting the PAM pathway, particularly with natural products, offers a promising therapeutic strategy for LC.
  • Further research into combination therapies and precision medicine is essential for improving LC outcomes.
  • Despite challenges, advancements in novel agents and technologies provide an optimistic outlook for LC treatment.

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...
3.4K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.4K
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...
3.7K
Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors01:27

Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors

Enzyme-linked receptors are cell-surface receptors acting as an enzyme or associating with an enzyme intracellularly. They make excellent drug targets. Drugs can bind to the extracellular ligand-binding domain or directly affect their enzymatic domain and alter their activity.
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
2.3K
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
6.2K
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
4.6K