Targeting mTOR: evaluating the therapeutic potential of resveratrol for cancer treatment

Anticancer Agents Med Chem. 2013 Sep;13(7):1032-8. doi: 10.2174/18715206113139990113.

Abstract

Resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene; RSV), a natural polyphenol found in a variety of daily food including grapes and red wine, has long been suspected to have multifaceted health beneficial properties, including anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant, and anticancer activities. Over the past few years, numerous studies have suggested that suppressing the activity of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a critical regulator of cell metabolism, growth, and proliferation, may provide a key mechanism underlying the anticarcinogenic properties of resveratrol. It has been found that resveratrol targets multiple components of the phosphatidylinositol 3- kinase(PI3K)/Akt and mTOR signaling pathways, including PI3K, Akt, PTEN, and DEPTOR, suggesting that this natural compound and its derivatives may offer a promising new cancer treatment. In the current review, we discuss recent findings on the molecular mechanisms regulating mTOR signaling and the therapeutic potential of resveratrol for cancer treatment by targeting mTOR.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Resveratrol
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Stilbenes / pharmacology*
  • Stilbenes / therapeutic use
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Antioxidants
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Stilbenes
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Resveratrol