Regulation of cancer behavior mediated by mTOR signal
Hirao, A.
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine 73(5): 773-778
2015
ISSN/ISBN: 0047-1852 PMID: 25985629 Document Number: 683437
Proliferation of cancer cells requires activation of signals that response to nutrients. One of the major coordinators of nutrient signals is mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) controls multiple cellular processes, including protein synthesis, glucose metabolism, fatty acid and sterol synthesis, mitochondrial biogenesis, and autophagy. Although inhibitors of mTORC1 have been developed, effectiveness of the inhibitors for cancer eradication appears to be limited, because of presence of several feed-back signals. In addition, leukemia stem cells might survive against mTOR inactivation through common mechanisms by which normal hematopoietic stem cells are maintained in the niche. Advances in understanding of how mTOR signaling is involved in mechanisms of stem cells may lead to novel therapeutic approaches that can successfully eradicate cancer.