The Role of Mammalian Target of Rapamycine Signaling Pathway in Central Nervous System Cancers: A Review

Abstract

Mammalian Target Of Rapamycine (mTOR) is a conserved serine/threonine kinase in the PI3K/Akt/ mTOR signaling pathway. This pathway is regulated by changes in cells such as change in energy level, growth factors, and stressful conditions as well as increased level of cytokines which cause cancer development. The increase in the function of this pathway has been observed in various types of human cancers, especially in cancer stem-like cells. The association of this pathway with the most common Central Nervous System (CNS) cancers such as glioblastoma, medulloblastomas and tuberous sclerosis complex is under investigation. Recent studies have examined the relationship of different cellular signaling pathways and genetic mutations in the CNS cancers with the mTOR pathway. Based on previous studies, different treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are not effective and have some complications. Therefore, the researchers are trying to find new effective treatment methods for cancers. One approach is to have knowledge of all molecular pathways, proteins and genetic mutations related to cancers. This study aims to investigate the effect of mTOR signaling pathway on the CNS cancers. In this regard, after searching in Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus databases, 78 articles were selected for review.

Keywords

• tor serine-threonine kinases
• central nervous system
• glioblastoma
• medulloblastoma
• tuberous sclerosis complex