mTOR pathway in colorectal cancer: an update

作者：Francipane Maria Giovanna; Lagasse Eric^*

来源：Oncotarget, 2014, 5(1): 49-66.

DOI：10.18632/oncotarget.1548

• mTOR
• colorectal cancer
• cancer stem-like cells
• personalized medicine

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has emerged as a potential target for drug development, particularly due to the fact that it plays such a crucial role in cancer biology. In addition, next-generation mTOR inhibitors have become available, marking an exciting new phase in mTOR-based therapy. However, the verdict on their therapeutic effectiveness remains unclear. Here we review phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mTOR signaling as one of the primary mechanisms for sustaining tumor outgrowth and metastasis, recent advances in the development of mTOR inhibitors, and current studies addressing mTOR activation/inhibition in colorectal cancer (CRC). We will also discuss our recent comparative study of different mTOR inhibitors in a population of colon cancer stem cells (CSCs), and current major challenges for achieving individualized drug therapy using kinase inhibitors.

• 出版日期2014-1