The Roles of mTOR Signaling in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: From Pathogenesis to Therapy

Title:The Roles of mTOR Signaling in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: From Pathogenesis to Therapy

Volume: 17

Author(s): Ting Gong, Gui Cao, Danyang Sun, Tongtong Ge*Ping Li*

Affiliation:

• Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory on Molecular and Chemical Genetic, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China

• Department of Otolaryngology, Chengdu Seventh People's Hospital, Chengdu, China

Keywords: mTOR, Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Autophagy, Tumor therapy, EMT, Radiatherapy.

Abstract: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelial malignancy caused by cancer of the mucosal epithelial cells of the nasopharynx. Most patients with NPC present with distant metastases and treatment resistance, both of which challenge current anti-tumour drugs. The mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway is one of the most highly activated signalling pathways in NPC and plays an important role in various cellular activities. Dysfunction of mTOR and related signalling pathways induces tumour metabolism and growth. In this review, we summarize current evidence to evaluate the potential mechanisms by which mTOR is implicated in NPC. It was found that activating mTOR and its upstream and downstream signalling can promote tumor growth and survival of NPC. It is possible that EMT and autophagy regulated by cellular mTOR signalling activities may be implicated in the metastases and radioresistance of NPC.

Cite this article as:

Gong Ting, Cao Gui, Sun Danyang, Ge Tongtong*, Li Ping*, The Roles of mTOR Signaling in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: From Pathogenesis to Therapy, Current Molecular Pharmacology 2024; 17 : e18761429293675 . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0118761429293675240709061332