title: The Clinical and Prognostic Significance of Activated AKT-mTOR Pathway in Human Astrocytomas.
abstract: Astrocytomas, the most common type of gliomas, and especially grade IV glioblastomas are "endowed" with strong proliferation and invasion potentials, high recurrence rate, and poor patients' prognosis. Aberrant signaling of AKT-mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) has been implicated in carcinogenesis. This paper is focused on the impact of deregulated AKT-mTOR signaling components in the clinical outcome and prognosis of human astrocytomas. Current therapeutic targeting of astrocytomas with AKT-mTOR inhibitors in preclinical and clinical stage is also discussed, including future perspectives regarding the management of these devastating tumors.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Pathology, Laiko Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Elias A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: El Habr
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Adamopoulos
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Levidou
authors.forename: Aggeliki A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Saetta
authors.forename: Penelope
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Korkolopoulou
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Piperi