Targeting the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway: An emerging treatment strategy for squamous cell lung carcinoma

Squamous cell lung carcinoma accounts for approximately 30% of all non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). Despite progress in the understanding of the biology of cancer, cytotoxic chemotherapy remains the standard of care for patients with squamous cell lung carcinoma, but the prognosis is generally poor. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is one of the most commonly activated signaling pathways in cancer, leading to cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation. It has therefore become a major focus of clinical research. Various alterations in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway have been identified in squamous cell lung carcinoma and a number of agents targeting these alterations are in clinical development for use as single agents and in combination with other targeted and conventional treatments. These include pan-PI3K inhibitors, isoform-specific PI3K inhibitors, AKT inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors, and dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors. These agents have demonstrated antitumor activity in preclinical models of NSCLC and preliminary clinical evidence is also available for some agents. This review will discuss the role of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in cancer and how the discovery of genetic alterations in this pathway in patients with squamous cell lung carcinoma can inform the development of targeted therapies for this disease. An overview of ongoing clinical trials investigating PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitors in squamous cell lung carcinoma will also be included.     

PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路在Burkitt淋巴瘤中的研究进展

 Burkitt淋巴瘤是一种高度侵袭性的非霍奇金淋巴瘤，是人类生长最快的肿瘤。根据流行病学及miRNA不同，分为地方型、散发型与免疫缺陷相关型。该病主要发生在儿童及青少年，少数发生于成年人。经短期、强效化疗后疗效显著，但成年、晚期、耐药的患者预后较差。PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路在细胞的生长、分化、代谢、生存以及增殖等方面发挥重要作用，研究发现，该信号通路在Burkitt淋巴瘤中呈激活状态，且针对该通路的抑制剂对Burkitt淋巴瘤细胞有抑制作用。通过对该信号通路与PTEN、c-Myc、自噬在Burkitt淋巴瘤中作用及相互关系的研究，了解其发病机制，设计该通路抑制剂与其他相关通路抑制剂或与单克隆抗体的联合用药，为晚期、耐药的患者寻找精准、高效、低毒的靶向治疗方案。     

PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in cancer stem cells: from basic research to clinical application

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.     

MCL-1-independent mechanisms of synergy between dual PI3K/mTOR and BCL-2 inhibition in diffuse large B cell lymphoma

The PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis promotes survival and is a frequently mutated pathway in cancer. Yet, inhibitors targeting this pathway are insufficient to induce cancer cell death as single agents in some contexts, including diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). In these situations, combinations with inhibitors targeting BCL-2 survival proteins (ABT-199 and ABT-263) may hold potential. Indeed, studies have demonstrated marked synergy in contexts where PI3K/mTOR inhibitors suppress expression of the pro-survival protein, MCL-1. In this study, we use BH3 profiling to confirm that BCL-2 and BCL-X_L support survival following PI3K pathway inhibition, and that the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor BEZ235 strongly synergizes with BCL-2 antagonists in DLBCL. However, we identify an alternative mechanism of synergy between PI3K/mTOR and BCL-2 inhibitors, independent of MCL-1 down-regulation. Instead, we show that suppression of AKT activation by BEZ235 can induce the mitochondrial accumulation of pro-apoptotic BAD and BIM, and that expression of a constitutively active form of AKT prevents sensitization to BCL-2 antagonism. Thus, our work identifies an additional mechanism of synergy between PI3K pathway inhibitors and BCL-2 antagonists that strengthens the rationale for testing this combination in DLBCL.     

Multipoint targeting of the PI3K/mTOR pathway in mesothelioma

Background:

Mesothelioma is a notoriously chemotherapy-resistant neoplasm, as is evident in the dismal overall survival for patients with those of asbestos-associated disease. We previously demonstrated co-activation of multiple receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), MET, and AXL in mesothelioma cell lines, suggesting that these kinases could serve as novel therapeutic targets. Although clinical trials have not shown activity for EGFR inhibitors in mesothelioma, concurrent inhibition of various activated RTKs has pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects in mesothelioma cell lines. Thus, we hypothesised that a coordinated network of multi-RTK activation contributes to mesothelioma tumorigenesis.

Methods:

Activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR, Raf/MAPK, and co-activation of RTKs were evaluated in mesotheliomas. Effects of RTK and downstream inhibitors/shRNAs were assessed by measuring mesothelioma cell viability/growth, apoptosis, activation of signalling intermediates, expression of cell-cycle checkpoints, and cell-cycle alterations.

Results:

We demonstrate activation of the PI3K/AKT/p70S6K and RAF/MEK/MAPK pathways in mesothelioma, but not in non-neoplastic mesothelial cells. The AKT activation, but not MAPK activation, was dependent on coordinated activation of RTKs EGFR, MET, and AXL. In addition, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibition recapitulated the anti-proliferative effects of concurrent inhibition of EGFR, MET, and AXL. Dual targeting of PI3K/mTOR by BEZ235 or a combination of RAD001 and AKT knockdown had a greater effect on mesothelioma proliferation and viability than inhibition of individual activated RTKs or downstream signalling intermediates. Inhibition of PI3K/AKT was also associated with MDM2-p53 cell-cycle regulation.

Conclusions:

These findings show that PI3K/AKT/mTOR is a crucial survival pathway downstream of multiple activated RTKs in mesothelioma, underscoring that PI3K/mTOR is a compelling target for therapeutic intervention.     

Will PI3K pathway inhibitors be effective as single agents in patients with cancer?

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) axis regulates essential cellular functions including cell survival, proliferation, metabolism, migration, and angiogenesis. The PI3K pathway is activated in human cancers by mutation, amplification, and deletion of genes encoding components of this pathway. The critical role of PI3K in cancer has led to the development of drugs targeting the effector mechanisms of this signaling network. Recent studies have shown that inhibition at multiple levels of the PI3K pathway results in FOXO-dependent feedback reactivation of several receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) which, in turn, limit the sustained inhibition of this pathway and attenuates the action of therapeutic antagonists. This suggests that if used as single agents, PI3K pathway inhibitors may have limited clinical activity. We propose herein that to successfully target the output of the PI3K pathway in cancer cells, combination therapies that hinder these compensatory mechanisms should be used. Thus, combination therapies that target RTKs, PI3K, and mTOR activities may be required to maximize the clinical benefit derived from treatment with these inhibitors.     

Genetic variants in the PI3K/PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway predict platinum-based chemotherapy response of advanced non-small cell lung cancers in a Chinese population

Objective: The PI3K/PTEN/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway has been implicated in resistance to cisplatin.In the current study, we determined whether common genetic variations in this pathway are associated withplatinum-based chemotherapy response and clinical outcome in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)patients. Methods: Seven common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in core genes of this pathway weregenotyped in 199 patients and analyzed for associations with chemotherapy response, progression-free survival(PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: Logistic regression analysis revealed an association between AKT1rs2494752 and response to treatment. Patients carrying heterozygous AG had an increased risk of diseaseprogression after two cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy compared to those with AA genotype (Adjustedodds ratio (OR)=2.18, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00-4.77, which remained significant in the stratifiedanalyses). However, log-rank test and cox regression detected no association between these polymorphisms inthe PI3K pathway genes and survival in advanced NSCLC patients. Conclusions: Our findings suggest thatgenetic variants in the PI3K/PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway may predict platinum-based chemotherapy responsein advanced NSCLC patients in a Chinese population.     

PI3K/AKT/mTOR通路抑制剂在膀胱癌中的研究进展

磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶(PI3K)/AKT/哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶标(mTOR)通路在人类肿瘤的恶性转化及其随后的生长、增殖和转移中起重要作用。临床前研究表明,PI3K/AKT/mTOR通路在膀胱癌中经常被激活。因此,这一通路被认为是膀胱癌治疗干预的候选通路,针对该通路不同成分的抑制剂正处于临床开发的不同阶段。在这里,重点介绍我们对PI3K/AKT/mTOR通路的最新研究进展,并讨论以该通路为靶点的治疗药物作为膀胱癌治疗药物的发展障碍及发展潜力。     

Loss-of-function RNAi screens in breast cancer cells identify AURKB,PLK1, PIK3R1, MAPK12, PRKD2, and PTK6 as sensitizing targets of rapamycin activity

The use of molecularly targeted drugs as single agents has shown limited utility in many tumor types, largely due to the complex and redundant nature of oncogenic signaling networks. Targeting of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway through inhibition of mTOR in combination with aromatase inhibitors has seen success in particular sub-types of breast cancer and there is a need to identify additional synergistic combinations to maximize the clinical potential of mTOR inhibitors. We have used loss-of-function RNAi screens of the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin to identify sensitizers of mTOR inhibition. RNAi screens conducted in combination with rapamycin in multiple breast cancer cell lines identified six genes, AURKB, PLK1, PIK3R1, MAPK12, PRKD2, and PTK6 that when silenced, each enhanced the sensitivity of multiple breast cancer lines to rapamycin. Using selective pharmacological agents we confirmed that inhibition of AURKB or PLK1 synergizes with rapamycin. Compound-associated gene expression data suggested histone deacetylation (HDAC) inhibition as a strategy for reducing the expression of several of the rapamycin-sensitizing genes, and we tested and validated this using the HDAC inhibitor entinostat in vitro and in vivo. Our findings indicate new approaches for enhancing the efficacy of rapamycin including the use of combining its application with HDAC inhibition.     

PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路抑制剂在淋巴瘤中的研究进展*

磷脂酰肌醇-3 激酶（phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase,PI 3K）- 蛋白激酶B（protein kinaseB ,PKB ,又称AKT ）- 雷帕霉素靶蛋白（mammalian target of? rapamycin,mTOR）信号通路与细胞的生长、增殖、分化、凋亡、代谢等密切相关,在多种实体肿瘤中已发现该信号通路的异常。近年来,以抑制该通路特定位点的靶向治疗已成为抗肿瘤的研究热点。许多该位点新型抑制剂也已进入淋巴瘤的临床试验中,本文就该通路在淋巴瘤中的活化状态及各个分子靶点抑制剂的研究进展做一综述。      

Inhibition of constitutively activated phosphoinositide 3‐kinase/AKT pathway enhances antitumor activity of chemotherapeutic agents in breast cancer susceptibility gene 1‐defective breast cancer cells

Loss or decrease of wild type BRCA1 function, by either mutation or reduced expression, has a role in hereditary and sporadic human breast and ovarian cancers. We report here that the PI3K/AKT pathway is constitutively active in BRCA1‐defective human breast cancer cells. Levels of phospho‐AKT are sustained even after serum starvation in breast cancer cells carrying deleterious BRCA1 mutations. Knockdown of BRCA1 in MCF7 cells increases the amount of phospho‐AKT and sensitizes cells to small molecule protein kinase inhibitors (PKIs) targeting the PI3K/AKT pathway. Restoration of wild type BRCA1 inhibits the activated PI3K/AKT pathway and de‐sensitizes cells to PKIs targeting this pathway in BRCA1 mutant breast cancer cells, regardless of PTEN mutations. In addition, clinical PI3K/mTOR inhibitors, PI‐103, and BEZ235, showed anti‐proliferative effects on BRCA1 mutant breast cancer cell lines and synergism in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs, cisplatin, doxorubicin, topotecan, and gemcitabine. BEZ235 synergizes with the anti‐proliferative effects of gemcitabine by enhancing caspase‐3/7 activity. Our results suggest that the PI3K/AKT pathway can be an important signaling pathway for the survival of BRCA1‐defective breast cancer cells and pharmacological inhibition of this pathway is a plausible treatment for a subset of breast cancers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Potential therapeutic targets for chordoma: PI3K/AKT/TSC1/TSC2/mTOR pathway

Chordomas are radio- and chemo-resistant tumours and metastasise in as many as 40% of patients. The aim of this study was to identify potential molecular targets for the treatment of chordoma. In view of the reported association of chordoma and tuberous sclerosis complex syndrome, and the available therapeutic agents against molecules in the PI3K/AKT/TSC1/TSC2/mTOR pathway, a tissue microarray of 50 chordoma cases was analysed for expression of active molecules involved in this signalling pathway by immunohistochemistry and a selected number by western blot analysis. Chordomas were positive for p-AKT (92%), p-TSC2 (96%), p-mTOR (27%), total mTOR (75%), p-p70S6K (62%), p-RPS6 (22%), p-4E-BP1 (96%) and eIF-4E (98%). Phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 expression was lost in 16% of cases. Mutations failed to be identified in PI3KCA and RHEB1 in the 23 cases for which genomic DNA was available. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation analysis for mTOR and RPS6 loci showed that 11 of 33 and 21 of 44 tumours had loss of one copy of the respective genes, results which correlated with the loss of the relevant total proteins. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation analysis for loci containing TSC1 and TSC2 revealed that all cases analysed harboured two copies of the respective genes. On the basis of p-mTOR and or p-p70S6K expression there is evidence indicating that 65% of the chordomas studied may be responsive to mTOR inhibitors, rapamycin or its analogues, and that patients may benefit from combined therapy including drugs that inhibit AKT.     

PI3K/AKT/mTOR通路及其抑制剂在乳腺癌中的应用现状

磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶（phosphoinositide 3-kinase,PI3K）/蛋白激酶B（protein kinase B,AKT）/哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白（mammalian target of rapamycin,mTOR）信号转导通路在多种肿瘤中异常激活,参与肿瘤细胞增殖、分化和凋亡等生命过程的调控,是抗肿瘤药物研发的重要靶点。对目前已应用于乳腺癌临床或处于临床试验阶段的PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路抑制剂进行归纳,并综述该通路抑制剂的联合用药策略,以期为不同亚型乳腺癌提供个体化靶向治疗方案。     

Targeting mTOR signaling pathways and related negative feedback loops for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia

An accumulating understanding of the complex pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) continues to lead to promising therapeutic approaches. Among the key aberrant intracellular signaling pathways involved in AML, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) axis is of major interest. This axis modulates a wide array of critical cellular functions, including proliferation, metabolism, and survival. Pharmacologic inhibitors of components of this pathway have been developed over the past decade, but none has an established role in the treatment of AML. This review will discuss the preclinical data and clinical results driving ongoing attempts to exploit the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in patients with AML and address issues related to negative feedback loops that account for leukemic cell survival. Targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is of high interest for the treatment of AML, but combination therapies with other targeted agents may be needed to block negative feedback loops in leukemia cells.     

Overcoming acquired resistance to anticancer therapy: focus on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway

Background

Most targeted anticancer therapies, as well as cytotoxic and radiation therapies, are encumbered by the development of secondary resistance by cancer cells. Resistance is a complex phenomenon involving multiple mechanisms, including activation of signaling pathways such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Novel strategies to overcome resistance by targeting these signaling pathways are being evaluated.

Methods

PubMed and key cancer congress abstracts were searched until July 2012 for preclinical and clinical data relating to the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and anticancer treatment resistance, and use of PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors in resistant cancer cell lines and patient populations.

Results

Activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is frequently implicated in resistance to anticancer therapies, including biologics, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, radiation, and cytotoxics. As such, inhibitors of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway are being rapidly evaluated in preclinical models and in clinical studies to determine whether they can restore therapeutic sensitivity when given in combination. In breast cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer, and glioblastoma, we find compelling preclinical evidence to show that inhibitors of PI3K or mTOR can restore sensitivity in resistant cells. Although clinical evidence is less mature, a recent Phase III study with the mTORC1 inhibitor everolimus in patients with advanced breast cancer resistant to aromatase inhibition and several Phase I/II studies with PI3K inhibitors demonstrate proof-of-concept, warranting future clinical evaluation.

Conclusion

Current preclinical and clinical evidence suggest that inhibitors of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway could have utility in combination with other anticancer therapies to circumvent resistance by cancer cells. Multiple clinical studies are ongoing.     

PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway plays a major pathogenetic role in glycogen accumulation and tumor development in renal distal tubules of rats and men

Activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is a crucial molecular event in human clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), and is also upregulated in diabetic nephropathy. In diabetic rats metabolic changes affect the renal distal tubular epithelium and lead to glycogen-storing Armanni-Ebstein lesions (AEL), precursor lesions of RCC in the diabetes induced nephrocarcinogenesis model. These lesions resemble human sporadic clear cell tubules (CCT) and tumor cells of human ccRCC.Human sporadic CCT were examined in a collection of 324 nephrectomy specimen, in terms of morphologic, metabolic and molecular alterations, and compared to preneoplastic CCT and RCC developed in the rat following streptozotocin-induced diabetes or N-Nitrosomorpholine administration. Diabetic and non-diabetic rats were subjected to the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, NVP/BEZ235.Human sporadic CCT could be detected in 17.3% of kidney specimens. Human and rat renal CCT display a strong induction of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and related metabolic alterations. Proteins involved in glycolysis and de novo lipogenesis were upregulated. In in vivo experiments, dual inhibition of PI3K and mTOR resulted in a reduction of proliferation of rat diabetes related CCT and increased autophagic activity.The present data indicate that human sporadic CCT exhibit a pattern of morphologic and metabolic alterations similar to preneoplastic lesions in the rat model. Activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in glycogenotic tubuli is a remarkable molecular event and suggests a preneoplastic character of these lesions also in humans.     

PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway and cancer

PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is an intracellular signalling pathway composed of different kinases. Many protein mutations are described in that pathway, and are responsible of dysregulation of cell growth, proliferation, survival and angiogenesis. Rapamycin is an antibiotic inhibiting mTOR. Different analogs of rapamycin are developed or being developed in antitumoral therapy, in which temsirolimus, everolimus and deforolimus, demonstrated antitumoral activity in renal cancer and mantle cell lymphoma, and many clinical trials are in progress in other tumors. In the future, predictive factors of response need to be identified; patient selection and associations with chemotherapy or with other targeted therapies should be explored.     

Therapeutic implications of targeting the PI3Kinase/AKT/mTOR signaling module in melanoma therapy

The PI3Kinase/AKT/mTOR signaling module is implicated in various cellular functions including cell survival, growth and proliferation, glucose metabolism, apoptosis, migration, and angiogenesis. Increased expression of AKT and its up- and downstream regulators is linked to several types of cancer. Aberrant expression of AKT is observed in nearly 60% of melanomas culminating in apoptosis resistance via deactivation of apoptotic molecules Bad and Cas-pase-9. Through cross-talk with NF-κB, ERK1/2, JNK and p38MAPK signaling pathways, AKT induces a plethora of cellular effects often leading to tumor development and progression. Due to frequently observed resistance to other common cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation, and the detrimental consequences of constitutive activation of the PI3Kinase/AKT/mTOR signaling module, targeted inhibition of the effectors and substrates involved in this module has become a viable and attractive option for molecular targeted therapy in melanoma. Pharmacological inhibitors of various components of this module, either alone or in combination with other agents, have shown significant decrease in proliferation, tumorigenesis, cell growth and survival of various tumors in phases I and II clinical trials. Some inhibitors have even received their Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. This review summarizes the current knowledge on this module, its cross-talk with other major cell survival pathways and its targeted inhibition for therapeutic purposes in melanoma.     

Biologic rationale and clinical activity of mTOR inhibitors in gynecological cancer

Advanced recurrent gynecological malignancies have a poor prognosis despite systemic treatment, which is usually cytotoxic chemotherapy. Responses are generally short-lived and more effective treatments are needed. Rationally designed molecularly targeted therapy is an emerging and important option in this setting. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine protein kinase of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway with a critical role in controlling cancer cellular growth, metabolism and cell cycle progression. Aberrant PI3K-dependent signaling occurs frequently in a wide range of tumor types, including ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancer. Early clinical studies of first-generation mTOR inhibitors have shown promising clinical activity in endometrial cancer. However, the molecular basis of sensitivity and resistance to these agents remains largely unknown. In this review, we will update the clinical and biological data underlying the development of first generation mTOR inhibitors in the treatment of gynecological tumors. The role of potential new combination regimens with mTOR inhibitors in gynecological cancers will also be discussed.