Abstract
Research into mTOR, mammalian Target Of Rapamycin as an important drug target continues to be extremely interesting, both in terms of the increased molecular knowledge being acquired at the basis of various human diseases, and also for possible applications in drug cancer therapy. The mTOR signaling system plays a key role in several transduction pathways that are necessary for cell cycle progression and cellular proliferation. Drugs known as mTOR inhibitors have been included in ongoing and in recently completed cancer trials. New insights into the mTOR signaling system are helping to clarify the functionality of key mTOR components, and especially their possible role in apoptosis, angiogenesis and tumor progression. Three other molecules, already approved for therapeutic use and being commercialized (Everolimius, Temsirolimus and Zotarolimus) are added to Rapamycin (also known as Sirolimus), the parent drug of the mTOR inhibitors. Of these, only Temsirolimus is currently approved in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma, while the others are approved for organ transplant rejection and coronary artery restenosis. There are at least 10 other molecules currently under development for clinical and preclinical studies. This review offers an updated synopsis of the mTOR signaling system, in particular as regards relevant aspects of cancer research, looks at the known mTOR inhibitors and gives a systematic vision of current trials for each individual molecule subject to clinical investigation.
Keywords: mtor, cancer therapy, signal-tranduction, pathway, rapamycin, molecular target, clinical trial, drug discovery, investigational drugs
Current Cancer Drug Targets
Title: mTOR Pathway and mTOR Inhibitors as Agents for Cancer Therapy
Volume: 8 Issue: 8
Author(s): Paolo Baldo, Sara Cecco, Elisa Giacomin, Renzo Lazzarini, Barbara Ros and Stefano Marastoni
Affiliation:
Keywords: mtor, cancer therapy, signal-tranduction, pathway, rapamycin, molecular target, clinical trial, drug discovery, investigational drugs
Abstract: Research into mTOR, mammalian Target Of Rapamycin as an important drug target continues to be extremely interesting, both in terms of the increased molecular knowledge being acquired at the basis of various human diseases, and also for possible applications in drug cancer therapy. The mTOR signaling system plays a key role in several transduction pathways that are necessary for cell cycle progression and cellular proliferation. Drugs known as mTOR inhibitors have been included in ongoing and in recently completed cancer trials. New insights into the mTOR signaling system are helping to clarify the functionality of key mTOR components, and especially their possible role in apoptosis, angiogenesis and tumor progression. Three other molecules, already approved for therapeutic use and being commercialized (Everolimius, Temsirolimus and Zotarolimus) are added to Rapamycin (also known as Sirolimus), the parent drug of the mTOR inhibitors. Of these, only Temsirolimus is currently approved in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma, while the others are approved for organ transplant rejection and coronary artery restenosis. There are at least 10 other molecules currently under development for clinical and preclinical studies. This review offers an updated synopsis of the mTOR signaling system, in particular as regards relevant aspects of cancer research, looks at the known mTOR inhibitors and gives a systematic vision of current trials for each individual molecule subject to clinical investigation.
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Baldo Paolo, Cecco Sara, Giacomin Elisa, Lazzarini Renzo, Ros Barbara and Marastoni Stefano, mTOR Pathway and mTOR Inhibitors as Agents for Cancer Therapy, Current Cancer Drug Targets 2008; 8 (8) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156800908786733513
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156800908786733513 |
Print ISSN 1568-0096 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-5576 |
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