Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) comprise a subset of hierarchically organized, rare cancer cells with the ability to initiate cancer in xenografts of genetically modified murine models. CSCs are thought to be responsible for tumor onset, self-renewal/maintenance, mutation accumulation, and metastasis. The existence of CSCs could explain the high frequency of neoplasia relapse and resistance to all of currently available therapies, including chemotherapy. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is a key regulator of physiological cell processes which include proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, motility, metabolism, and autophagy. Nevertheless, aberrantly upregulated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling characterizes many types of cancers where it negatively influences prognosis. Several lines of evidence indicate that this signaling system plays a key role also in CSC biology. Of note, CSCs are more sensitive to pathway inhibition with small molecules when compared to healthy stem cells. This observation provides the proof-of-principle that functional differences in signaling transduction pathways between CSCs and healthy stem cells can be identified. Here, we review the evidence which links the signals deriving from the PI3K/Akt/mTOR network with CSC biology, both in hematological and solid tumors. We then highlight how therapeutic targeting of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling with small molecule inhibitors could improve cancer patient outcome, by eliminating CSCs.
Keywords: Cancer stem cells, differentiation, leukemic stem cells, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, proliferation, targeted therapy, PI3K, Akt, mTOR, CSC biology
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Targeting the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Akt/Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Signaling Network in Cancer Stem Cells
Volume: 18 Issue: 18
Author(s): A. M. Martelli, C. Evangelisti, M. Y. Follo, G. Ramazzotti, M. Fini, R. Giardino, L. Manzoli, J. A. McCubrey and L. Cocco
Affiliation:
Keywords: Cancer stem cells, differentiation, leukemic stem cells, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, proliferation, targeted therapy, PI3K, Akt, mTOR, CSC biology
Abstract: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) comprise a subset of hierarchically organized, rare cancer cells with the ability to initiate cancer in xenografts of genetically modified murine models. CSCs are thought to be responsible for tumor onset, self-renewal/maintenance, mutation accumulation, and metastasis. The existence of CSCs could explain the high frequency of neoplasia relapse and resistance to all of currently available therapies, including chemotherapy. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is a key regulator of physiological cell processes which include proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, motility, metabolism, and autophagy. Nevertheless, aberrantly upregulated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling characterizes many types of cancers where it negatively influences prognosis. Several lines of evidence indicate that this signaling system plays a key role also in CSC biology. Of note, CSCs are more sensitive to pathway inhibition with small molecules when compared to healthy stem cells. This observation provides the proof-of-principle that functional differences in signaling transduction pathways between CSCs and healthy stem cells can be identified. Here, we review the evidence which links the signals deriving from the PI3K/Akt/mTOR network with CSC biology, both in hematological and solid tumors. We then highlight how therapeutic targeting of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling with small molecule inhibitors could improve cancer patient outcome, by eliminating CSCs.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
M. Martelli A., Evangelisti C., Y. Follo M., Ramazzotti G., Fini M., Giardino R., Manzoli L., A. McCubrey J. and Cocco L., Targeting the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Akt/Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Signaling Network in Cancer Stem Cells, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2011; 18 (18) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986711796011201
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986711796011201 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
Current advances in inherited cardiomyopathy
Describe in detail all novel advances in multimodality imaging related to inherited cardiomyopathy diagnosis and prognosis. Shed light to deeper phenotypic characterization. Acknowledge recent advances in genetics, genomics and precision medicineread more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Neurovascular Signals Suggest a Propagation Mechanism for Endogenous Stem Cell Activation Along Blood Vessels
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Urokinase-type Plasminogen Activator (uPA) and its Receptor (uPAR): Development of Antagonists of uPA / uPAR Interaction and their Effects In Vitro and In Vivo
Current Pharmaceutical Design Targeted Therapy for Brain Tumours: Role of PARP Inhibitors
Current Cancer Drug Targets [18F]Fluoroalkyl Agents: Synthesis, Reactivity and Application for Development of PET Ligands in Molecular Imaging
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Glioblastoma: Prognostic Factors and Predictive Response to Radio and Chemotherapy
Current Medicinal Chemistry Silibinin – A Promising New Treatment for Cancer
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Prodrugs in Photodynamic Anticancer Therapy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Ozone Dosage Effect on C6 Cell Growth: in Vitro and in Vivo Tests
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Dissecting the Mechanisms of Thrombogenesis and Atherosclerosis for Neurodegenerative Disorders
Current Neurovascular Research Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors as Prospective Agents for the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Neoplastic Diseases
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Oxidative Stress Upregulates PDCD4 Expression in Patients with Gastric Cancer via miR-21
Current Pharmaceutical Design Membrane Permeable Lipophilic Cations as Mitochondrial Directing Groups
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Harnessing the Capacity of Cell-Penetrating Peptides for Drug Delivery to the Central Nervous System
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Emerging Role of Circular RNAs in Kidney Diseases in Nephrology
Current Drug Targets RGD Peptide–mediated Molecular Imaging for Targeting Integrin Alpha(v) Beta(3) in Tumors: A Review
Current Medical Imaging Techniques and Methods for In Vivo MRI Monitoring of Exogenous and Endogenous Neural Stem Cell-Mediated Brain Repair
Recent Patents on Regenerative Medicine Studies on Non-synonymous Polymorphisms Altering Human DNA Topoisomerase II-Alpha Interaction with Amsacrine and Mitoxantrone: An <i>In Silico</i> Approach
Current Cancer Drug Targets Pharmacological Activation of p53 in Cancer Cells
Current Pharmaceutical Design Oxaliplatin-mediated Inhibition of Survivin Increases Sensitivity of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines to Paclitaxel
Current Cancer Drug Targets Antitumor and Antiviral Activity of Pentacyclic Triterpenes
Mini-Reviews in Organic Chemistry