Title:The mTOR Signaling Pathway and mTOR Inhibitors in Cancer:
Next-generation Inhibitors and Approaches
Volume: 24
Issue: 4
Author(s): Murat Ihlamur, Busra Akgul, Yağmur Zengin, Şenay Vural Korkut, Kübra Kelleci*Emrah Şefik Abamor
Affiliation:
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Yildiz Technical
University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Medical Services and Techniques, Beykoz University, Istanbul,
Turkey
Keywords:
mTOR, mTOR inhibitor, cancer, resistance mechanisms, nanoparticles, next-generation inhibitors, approaches.
Abstract:
mTOR is a serine/threonine kinase that plays various roles in cell growth,
proliferation, and metabolism. mTOR signaling in cancer becomes irregular. Therefore,
drugs targeting mTOR have been developed. Although mTOR inhibitors rapamycin and
rapamycin rapalogs (everolimus, rapamycin, temsirolimus, deforolimus, etc.) and new
generation mTOR inhibitors (Rapalink, Dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors, etc.) are used in
cancer treatments, mTOR resistance mechanisms may inhibit the efficacy of these
drugs. Therefore, new inhibition approaches are developed. Although these new
inhibition approaches have not been widely investigated in cancer treatment, the use of
nanoparticles has been evaluated as a new treatment option in a few types of cancer.
This review outlines the functions of mTOR in the cancer process, its resistance
mechanisms, and the efficiency of mTOR inhibitors in cancer treatment. Furthermore, it
discusses the next-generation mTOR inhibitors and inhibition strategies created using
nanoparticles.
Since mTOR resistance mechanisms prevent the effects of mTOR inhibitors used in
cancer treatments, new inhibition strategies should be developed. Inhibition approaches
are created using nanoparticles, and one of them offers a promising treatment option
with evidence supporting its effectiveness.
