The Clinical and Prognostic Significance of Activated AKT-mTOR Pathway in Human Astrocytomas

Astrocytomas, the most common type of gliomas, and especially grade IV glioblastomas are “endowed” with strong proliferation and invasion potentials, high recurrence rate, and poor patients' prognosis. Aberrant signaling of AKT-mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) has been implicated in carcino...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Elias A. El Habr, Christos Adamopoulos, Georgia Levidou, Aggeliki A. Saetta, Penelope Korkolopoulou, Christina Piperi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2012-01-01
Series:Neurology Research International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/454957
Description
Summary:Astrocytomas, the most common type of gliomas, and especially grade IV glioblastomas are “endowed” with strong proliferation and invasion potentials, high recurrence rate, and poor patients' prognosis. Aberrant signaling of AKT-mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) has been implicated in carcinogenesis. This paper is focused on the impact of deregulated AKT-mTOR signaling components in the clinical outcome and prognosis of human astrocytomas. Current therapeutic targeting of astrocytomas with AKT-mTOR inhibitors in preclinical and clinical stage is also discussed, including future perspectives regarding the management of these devastating tumors.
ISSN:2090-1852
2090-1860