Targeting mTOR in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Treatment options for advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are limited, however, new therapies targeting specific tumor-related molecular characteristics may help certain patient cohorts. Emerging preclinical data has shown that inhibition of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) in spe...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sentia eIriana, Shahzad eAhmed, Jun eGong, Alagappan Anand Annamalai, Richard eTuli, Andrew Eugene Hendifar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2016-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fonc.2016.00099/full
Description
Summary:Treatment options for advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are limited, however, new therapies targeting specific tumor-related molecular characteristics may help certain patient cohorts. Emerging preclinical data has shown that inhibition of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) in specific KRAS-dependent PDAC subtypes leads to inhibition of tumorigenesis in vitro as well as in vivo. Early phase II studies of mono-mTOR inhibition have not shown promise. However, studies have shown that combined inhibition of multiple steps along the mTOR signaling pathway may lead to sustained responses by targeting mechanisms of tumor resistance. Coordinated inhibition of mTOR along with specific KRAS-dependent mutations in molecularly defined PDAC subpopulations may offer a viable alternative for treatment in the future.
ISSN:2234-943X