Targeting Akt in cancer for precision therapy

Journal of Hematology & Oncology

Jiao Wang¹  Hongying Zhang²  Jingzhu Chen²  Jieya Liu²  Yangfu Jiang²  Hui Hua³ 

[1] School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China;State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Laboratory of Oncogene, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China;State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China;

关键词: Akt;    Biomarker;    Cancer;    Cell signaling;    Precision therapy;    Targeted therapy;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13045-021-01137-8

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

Biomarkers-guided precision therapeutics has revolutionized the clinical development and administration of molecular-targeted anticancer agents. Tailored precision cancer therapy exhibits better response rate compared to unselective treatment. Protein kinases have critical roles in cell signaling, metabolism, proliferation, survival and migration. Aberrant activation of protein kinases is critical for tumor growth and progression. Hence, protein kinases are key targets for molecular targeted cancer therapy. The serine/threonine kinase Akt is frequently activated in various types of cancer. Activation of Akt promotes tumor progression and drug resistance. Since the first Akt inhibitor was reported in 2000, many Akt inhibitors have been developed and evaluated in either early or late stage of clinical trials, which take advantage of liquid biopsy and genomic or molecular profiling to realize personalized cancer therapy. Two inhibitors, capivasertib and ipatasertib, are being tested in phase III clinical trials for cancer therapy. Here, we highlight recent progress of Akt signaling pathway, review the up-to-date data from clinical studies of Akt inhibitors and discuss the potential biomarkers that may help personalized treatment of cancer with Akt inhibitors. In addition, we also discuss how Akt may confer the vulnerability of cancer cells to some kinds of anticancer agents.

【 授权许可】

CC BY