Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common form of cancer worldwide. One frequent alteration found in this type of cancer is overactivation of the PI3K/PTEN/mTOR pathway, of which protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt is a central key element, controlling important cellular processes such as metabolism, cell size, proliferation and apoptosis, ultimately regulating cell growth and survival. Thus, drugs that target Akt directly or elements of the pathway are plausible candidates for cancer treatment. Accordingly, numerous clinical trials in various phases are being performed for these drugs. In this review, we discuss the tumorigenic capacity of Akt and focus on its role in HNSCC, paying special attention to the current efforts in treating this cancer in a more specific, Akt-targeted way, based on its primordial role in this type of cancer.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy*
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / enzymology
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics
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Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / drug effects
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Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism
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Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
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Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
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Head and Neck Neoplasms / drug therapy*
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Head and Neck Neoplasms / enzymology
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Head and Neck Neoplasms / genetics
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Humans
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Neoplasms, Experimental / drug therapy
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Neoplasms, Experimental / enzymology
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Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / antagonists & inhibitors*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / genetics
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
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Signal Transduction / drug effects*
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Signal Transduction / genetics
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Treatment Outcome
Substances
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Antineoplastic Agents
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Protein Kinase Inhibitors
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt