Targeting the mTOR/4E-BP pathway in endometrial cancer

SB Korets, S Czok, SV Blank, JP Curtin… - Clinical Cancer …, 2011 - AACR
SB Korets, S Czok, SV Blank, JP Curtin, RJ Schneider
Clinical Cancer Research, 2011AACR
Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy. Although it is highly
treatable in the early stages of disease, therapies for advanced and recurrent disease are
rarely curative. A molecular and genetic understanding of endometrial cancer involves the
mTOR signaling pathway, an emerging target for treatment of type I disease (the most
common presentation). Endometrial cancers show a significant reliance on the mTOR
pathway for survival, and studies to date have revealed a clinical advantage in targeting this …
Abstract
Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy. Although it is highly treatable in the early stages of disease, therapies for advanced and recurrent disease are rarely curative. A molecular and genetic understanding of endometrial cancer involves the mTOR signaling pathway, an emerging target for treatment of type I disease (the most common presentation). Endometrial cancers show a significant reliance on the mTOR pathway for survival, and studies to date have revealed a clinical advantage in targeting this pathway. Less well developed in the study of endometrial cancer is an understanding of mTOR signaling to its major downstream effector, translational control. Given the poor rate of success for treatment of late-stage endometrial cancer, increasing attention is being directed to the development of new therapeutic approaches, including targeting the mTOR pathway. Here, we discuss the potential benefit of targeting mTOR combined with existing chemotherapies by monitoring its impact on translational regulatory pathways and key translation targets in endometrial cancer. We also highlight laboratory and clinical research findings that will provide new avenues for future research and clinical development. Clin Cancer Res; 17(24); 7518–28. ©2011 AACR.
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