Target of rapamycin (TOR) is a conserved protein kinase and a key regulator of cell growth and survival, acting downstream of PI3K. PI3K-mammalian/mechanistic TOR (mTOR) pathway is frequently hyper-activated in human cancers, leading to uncontrolled cancer growth, which is a major cancer drug target. mTOR forms two distinct multimeric protein complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, both of which are required for cancer cell growth, proliferation and survival. The macrolide rapamycin and rapamycin analogs (rapalogs) are partial mTOR inhibitors with limited efficacy toward major human cancers. Recently, mTOR kinase inhibitors (mTKIs) have emerged as the second generation of mTOR-targeted therapeutics. Early studies showed that mTKIs are indeed effective against several rapamycin-resistant tumor models. As a result, a large number of mTKIs rapidly entered human clinical trials. The extraordinary speed from initial drug discovery to human clinical trials underscores the therapeutic potential of this class of new anti-neoplastic agents. Despite early progress, significant challenges remain. Thus far, there have been few studies on their mechanisms of action. As ATP-competitive inhibitors, there are likely to be """"""""off-target"""""""" effect but this issue has not been carefully addressed. Moreover, there has been no reported study on intrinsic or acquired resistance to this new drug class. Our application is aimed at answering these critically important yet unaddressed questions. The rationale and feasibility of our research plan are strongly supported by the preliminary results. Successful completion of this project should have significant impact on the clinical development of this new class of anti-neoplastic agents.

Public Health Relevance

mTOR kinase is a central controller of cancer cell growth and survival. mTOR is one of the most frequently hyper-activated event in human cancers, leading to uncontrolled cancer growth. It is widely recognized as a key molecular target for cancer therapy. The macrolide rapamycin and rapamycin analogs (rapalogs) are used in the clinic to treat several different human diseases, including advanced renal cell carcinomas. However, rapalogs are only partial mTOR inhibitors, and except for renal cancer and a small number of other rare tumors, are not very effective against major human cancers. Recently, a second generation of anti-mTOR drugs called mTOR kinase inhibitors (mTKIs) has been developed. Preclinical studies show that they are indeed more potent anti-cancer agents than rapalogs. As a result, a large number of mTKI compounds have rapidly entered human clinical trials. The extraordinary speed from initial drug discovery to human clinical trials underscores their therapeutic potential. Despite early progress, significant challenges remain. Thus far there have been few studies toward understanding their mechanisms of action. Moreover, there is virtually no research on drug resistance to these drugs, which is critically important for clinical development of these drugs. This application will address these critically important questions. Successful completion of this project should have significant impact on the clinical development of this new class of anti-neoplastic agents, and improve treatment of human cancers.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
7R01CA166575-03
Application #
8700914
Study Section
Basic Mechanisms of Cancer Therapeutics Study Section (BMCT)
Program Officer
Forry, Suzanne L
Project Start
2012-07-10
Project End
2017-04-30
Budget Start
2013-07-01
Budget End
2014-04-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$259,901
Indirect Cost
$96,441
Name
Rbhs -Cancer Institute of New Jersey
Department
Type
DUNS #
078728091
City
New Brunswick
State
NJ
Country
United States
Zip Code
08903
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Jiang, Chao; Xu, Rui; Li, Xiao-Xing et al. (2018) Sorafenib and Carfilzomib Synergistically Inhibit the Proliferation, Survival, and Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Mol Cancer Ther 17:2610-2621
Zhang, Hong; Li, Xiao-Xing; Yang, Yang et al. (2018) Significance and mechanism of androgen receptor overexpression and androgen receptor/mechanistic target of rapamycin cross-talk in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology 67:2271-2286
Zhang, Yanjie; Huang, Bo; Wang, Hui-Yun et al. (2017) Emerging Role of MicroRNAs in mTOR Signaling. Cell Mol Life Sci 74:2613-2625
Jiang, Chao; Xu, Rui; Li, Xiao-Xing et al. (2017) p53R2 overexpression in cervical cancer promotes AKT signaling and EMT, and is correlated with tumor progression, metastasis and poor prognosis. Cell Cycle 16:1673-1682
Che, Meixia; Wang, Ren; Li, Xiaoxing et al. (2016) Expanding roles of superoxide dismutases in cell regulation and cancer. Drug Discov Today 21:143-149
Wang, Ren; Ganesan, Shridar; Zheng, X F Steven (2016) Yin and yang of 4E-BP1 in cancer. Cell Cycle 15:1401-2
Li, Yue; Tsang, Chi Kwan; Wang, Suihai et al. (2016) MAF1 suppresses AKT-mTOR signaling and liver cancer through activation of PTEN transcription. Hepatology 63:1928-42
Yang, X-Z; Li, X-X; Zhang, Y-J et al. (2016) Rab1 in cell signaling, cancer and other diseases. Oncogene 35:5699-5704
Wu, Tzung-Ju; Wang, Xiaowen; Zhang, Yanjie et al. (2015) Identification of a Non-Gatekeeper Hot Spot for Drug-Resistant Mutations in mTOR Kinase. Cell Rep 11:446-59

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