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The Emerging Role of mTOR in Shaping the Cancer Cell Secretome and Plasticity

Tyler T Cooper1, Ivan Topisirovic2, Lynne M Postovit3

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Ontario, Canada.

Molecular and Cellular Biology
|July 14, 2026
PubMed

Insights

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway coordinates cancer cell metabolism and protein synthesis. Aberrant mTOR signaling impacts the cancer secretome, influencing tumor growth, metastasis, and resistance to therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Metabolism

Background:

  • Tumor expansion triggers hypoxia and nutrient deprivation, necessitating adaptation through metabolic reprogramming, protein synthesis, and secretion.
  • The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is crucial for coordinating energy metabolism and protein synthesis.
  • Dysregulated mTOR signaling is a hallmark of cancer, contributing to tumorigenesis, metastasis, and treatment resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of mTOR in shaping the cancer secretome.
  • To examine the implications of mTOR-dependent secretory regulation within the tumor microenvironment.
  • To integrate evidence on mTOR signaling, metabolism, protein synthesis, and secretory remodeling in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current evidence.
  • Analysis of mTOR's role in cancer cell adaptation.
  • Examination of secretory output alterations downstream of mTOR.

Main Results:

  • mTOR signaling coordinates metabolic reprogramming, protein synthesis, and secretion in cancer cells.
  • Altered secretory output influences extracellular matrix remodeling, angiogenesis, and immune evasion.
  • mTOR-dependent secretory regulation contributes to chemoresistance and cancer cell plasticity.

Conclusions:

  • mTOR plays a significant role in regulating the cancer secretome.
  • Understanding mTOR's impact on secretion is vital for targeting tumor microenvironment interactions.
  • Aberrant mTOR function and secretory programs are linked to cancer cell plasticity and therapeutic resistance.
Keywords:
cancerchemoresistanceextracellular vesiclesmTORmetabolismmicroenvironmentplasticityprotein synthesissecretionstress-response

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