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The Oncogenomics Handbook pp 553–570Cite as

The mTOR Pathway and Its Inhibitors

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Part of the book series: Cancer Drug Discovery and Development ((CDD&D))

Abstract

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays a central role in the regulation of cell growth and proliferation by controlling translation in response to nutrients, energy levels, and growth factors. A number of proteins both upstream and downstream in the mTOR signaling pathway have been found to be modified in multiple cancers. As a result, significant interest has been generated in developing small-molecule inhibitors directed against mTOR. Over 30 yr ago a naturally occurring macrolide antibiotic, rapamycin, was isolated that subsequently was identified as a specific inhibitor of mTOR. Rapamycin has played a critical role as a chemical probe for defining the role of mTOR and served as a template for developing compounds with improved therapeutic properties. This chapter will describe our current understanding of the cellular functions of mTOR, modifications of the mTOR pathway currently identified in various types of cancer, the status of clinical trials using rapamycin analogs targeting mTOR, and future possibilities for novel small-molecule inhibitors of mTOR.

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  1. Department of Molecular Pharmacology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN

    John B. Easton PhD & Peter J. Houghton PhD

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Easton, J.B., Houghton, P.J. (2005). The mTOR Pathway and Its Inhibitors. In: LaRochelle, W.J., Shimkets, R.A. (eds) The Oncogenomics Handbook. Cancer Drug Discovery and Development. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-893-5:553

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-893-5:553

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