Deciphering the PI3K-AKT-mTOR Signalling Pathway in Cancer: A Mechanistic Insight

The PI3K-AKT-mTOR signalling pathway plays a central role in regulating cell growth, survival, and proliferation, significantly influencing the development and progression of cancer. This review examines the mechanistic and structural complexities of the major components of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway, exploring their potential as therapeutic targets in cancer. Aberrant activation of this signalling pathway has been strongly linked to the initiation and progression of various cancers, including breast, ovarian, gastric, lung, prostate, endometrial, laryngeal, and hepatocellular carcinoma, among others. The review highlights current therapeutic strategies that aim to inhibit PI3K, AKT, and mTOR in cancer treatment, emphasising the use of small-molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies. Additionally, it discusses the promise of combination therapies in enhancing treatment effectiveness and addressing resistance mechanisms that may arise during pathway inhibition. Understanding these resistance mechanisms and developing novel strategies to overcome them are critical for improving therapeutic outcomes for cancer patients. Overall, this study provides a thorough examination of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway, its potential for therapeutic intervention, and the evolving trends in cancer treatment, offering valuable insights for both researchers and clinicians.