The emerging role of noncoding RNAs in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway in breast cancer

Pathol Res Pract. 2024 Mar:255:155180. doi: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155180. Epub 2024 Jan 30.

Abstract

Breast cancer persists as a major problem for the world's healthcare, thus it is essential to fully understand the complex molecular processes that cause its growth and development. ncRNAs had been discovered to serve critical roles in a variety of cellular functions, including the regulation of signalling pathways. Within different pathways, the AKT/PI3K/mTOR signalling cascade has received a lot of interest because of its role in cancer. A complex interaction between ncRNAs, notably miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, and the AKT/PI3K/mTOR signalling pathway exerts both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive activities by targeting critical components of the pathway directly or indirectly. Through miRNA-mediated post-transcriptional regulation, lncRNA-guided chromatin remodelling, and circRNA sequestration, ncRNAs modulate the activity of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR, influencing cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis. Furthermore, ncRNAs can serve as promising biomarkers for breast cancer prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment response, as their dysregulation is commonly observed in breast cancer patients. Harnessing the potential of ncRNAs as therapeutic targets or tools for restoring pathway homeostasis holds promise for innovative treatment strategies in breast cancer. Understanding the intricate regulatory networks orchestrated by ncRNAs in this context may pave the way for novel diagnostic approaches, therapeutic interventions, and a deeper comprehension of breast cancer's molecular landscape, ultimately improving patient outcomes. This abstract underscores the emerging significance of ncRNAs in the AKT/PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway in breast cancer.

Keywords: And the AKT/ PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway; Breast cancer; Cancer; Circular RNAs; Long noncoding RNAs; MicroRNAs.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs* / metabolism
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • RNA, Long Noncoding* / genetics
  • RNA, Long Noncoding* / metabolism
  • RNA, Untranslated / genetics
  • Signal Transduction
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • RNA, Untranslated
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases