The PI3K/AKT/mTOR-Signal Transduction Pathway as Drug Target in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Title:The PI3K/AKT/mTOR-Signal Transduction Pathway as Drug Target in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Volume: 4

Author(s): Jens C. Hahne*, Jorg B. Engel, Arnd Honig, Susanne R. Meyer, Domenico Zito, Andrea Lampis and Nicola Valeri

Affiliation:

• Centre for Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London & Sutton, Cotswold Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5NG,United Kingdom

Keywords: Breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, PI3K/AKT/mTOR-pathway, clinical trials.

Abstract: Background: With 23% of all new tumour cases, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women after lung cancer. Of more than one million cases of breast cancer diagnosed globally each year, a high percentage is characterized as triple-negative, lacking the oestrogen, progesterone and Her2/neu receptors. Lack of effective therapies, younger age at onset and early metastatic spread have contributed to the poor prognosis and outcomes associated with triple-negative breast cancer.

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mTOR-pathway plays a critical role in malignant transformation of human tumours and their subsequent growth, proliferation and metastasis. Therefore, this pathway is regarded as an attractive candidate for therapeutic interventions. Several inhibitors targeting different components of this pathway are in various stages of development. This review provides a short overview of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR-signalling network, discusses the rationale for targeting this pathway and summarizes the use of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR-pathway as drug target for triple-negative breast cancer treatment.

Conclusion: Drugs interacting with the PI3K/AKT/mTOR-pathway seems to be an attractive therapeutic option in triple-negative breast cancer.

Cite this article as:

Hahne C. Jens *, Engel B. Jorg , Honig Arnd, Meyer R. Susanne , Zito Domenico, Lampis Andrea and Valeri Nicola , The PI3K/AKT/mTOR-Signal Transduction Pathway as Drug Target in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Clinical Cancer Drugs 2017; 4 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/2212697X04666170321112629

DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/2212697X04666170321112629	Print ISSN 2212-697X
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher	Online ISSN 2212-6988