Activation of the mTOR/ Akt pathway in thymic epithelial cells derived from thymomas.

ABSTRACT: The pathogenesis of thymic epithelial tumors remains poorly elucidated. The PIK3/Akt/mTOR pathway plays a key role in various cancers; interestingly, several phase I/II studies have reported a positive effect of mTOR inhibitors in disease control in thymoma patients. A major limit for deciphering cellular and molecular events leading to the transformation of thymic epithelial cells or for testing drug candidates is the lack of reliable in vitro cell system. We analyzed protein expression and activation of key players of the Akt/ mTOR pathway namely Akt, mTOR, and P70S6K in eleven A, B and AB thymomas as well as in normal thymuses. While only Akt and phospho-Akt were expressed in normal thymuses, both Akt and mTOR were activated in thymomas. Phospho-P70S6K was expressed in all thymic tumors

SUBMITTER: Maury JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6428316 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature