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Updated: Apr 3, 2026

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AXL inhibitor SGI-7079 suppresses the growth of retinoblastoma via PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway

Tingting Chen1, Yongan Lu2, Chunyue Yao3

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

Experimental Eye Research
|April 1, 2026
PubMed

Insights

AXL receptor tyrosine kinase is elevated in retinoblastoma (RB). An AXL inhibitor, SGI-7079, effectively reduced tumor growth in preclinical models, suggesting a potential new therapy for this childhood eye cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common primary ocular tumor in children.
  • The AXL receptor tyrosine kinase is implicated in various cancers and may play a role in RB pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of AXL in retinoblastoma.
  • To evaluate the therapeutic potential of the AXL inhibitor SGI-7079 in preclinical RB models.

Main Methods:

  • AXL expression analysis in clinical RB tumors and the GEO database.
  • In vitro studies using RB cell lines treated with SGI-7079.
  • In vivo xenograft studies evaluating SGI-7079 efficacy.
  • Analysis of cell cycle, apoptosis, and key signaling pathways (PI3K/AKT/mTOR).

Main Results:

  • AXL expression is significantly upregulated in retinoblastoma tumors compared to normal retina.
  • SGI-7079 inhibited RB cell line proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner.
  • SGI-7079 treatment led to G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
  • SGI-7079 suppressed the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
  • SGI-7079 demonstrated efficacy in suppressing xenograft tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusions:

  • AXL is a relevant therapeutic target in retinoblastoma.
  • SGI-7079 exhibits significant preclinical anti-tumor activity against retinoblastoma.
  • AXL inhibition represents a promising therapeutic strategy for retinoblastoma treatment.
Keywords:
PI3K/AKT/ mTORReceptor tyrosine kinase inhibitorRetinoblastomaSGI-7079

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