Targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in ocular neovascularization

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2014:801:805-11. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4614-3209-8_101.

Abstract

Ocular neovascularization, a common pathological feature of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), proliferative and diabetic retinopathy (PDR) leads to fluid and blood leakage, scar formation and ultimately blindness. Elucidation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a key mediator of angiogenesis led to clinically approved anti-VEGF agents. However, these drugs are associated with adverse side-effects, high costs and extensive clinical burden. The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is an alternative therapeutic target in angiogenic diseases. The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway orchestrates an array of normal cellular processes, including growth, survival and angiogenesis. Here, we review the potential of targeting the PI3K pathway, to treat ocular neovascularization.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diabetic Retinopathy / drug therapy
  • Diabetic Retinopathy / metabolism
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Macular Degeneration / drug therapy
  • Macular Degeneration / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism*
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases