mTOR signalling in human cancer.
Inhibitors of mTOR, the mammalian target of rapamycin, have been extensively studied in clinical trials for cancer treatment. Results have been promising, mostly in certain lymphomas, but in solid tumours the results have been generally less encouraging. However, recent results, particularly in renal cell carcinoma, have provided renewed interest in the role of mTOR inhibitors in solid tumours. A rational, and potentially more successful, development of these agents (i.e., RAD001, temsirolimus and AP23573) likely relies in a deeper knowledge of mTOR signalling in cancer, both at the preclinical and clinical levels. These would allow a better selection of patients more likely to respond to the use of biologically active doses of the agents and the development of mechanistically based combinations with other agents. The goal of this review is to provide an update on the complex signalling of mTOR in cancer and on the biological effects of mTOR inhibitors in cancer cells.
Albanell
J
J
Medical Oncology Service, Hospital del Mar-IMAS, Barcelona, Spain. jalbanell@imas.imim.es
Dalmases
A
A
Rovira
A
A
Rojo
F
F
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011494:Protein Kinases; C546842:MTOR protein, human; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases