title: PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in cancer stem cells: from basic research to clinical application.
abstract: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of tumor cells that possess unique self-renewal activity and mediate tumor initiation and propagation. The PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway can be considered as a master regulator for cancer. More and more recent studies have shown the links between PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and CSC biology. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review on the role of signaling components upstream and downstream of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling in CSC. In addition, we also summarize various classes of small molecule inhibitors of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and their clinical potential in CSC. Overall, the current available data suggest that the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway could be a promising target for development of CSC-target drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Liaoning Medical University Jinzhou 121000, Liaoning, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Pu
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medicine, China Medical University Shenyang 110122, Liaoning, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Yan
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Xu
keywords: Cancer stem cells; PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway; rapamycin; self-renew; tumor initiation