Characterization and targeting of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in renal cell cancer
2011

Targeting PI3K and mTOR in Kidney Cancer

Sample size: 330 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Aymen A Elfiky, Saadia A Aziz, Patricia J Conrad, Summar Siddiqui, Wolfgang Hackl, Michel Maira, Robert L Camp, Harriet M Kluger

Primary Institution: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Hypothesis

Can co-targeting PI3K and mTOR improve treatment outcomes in renal cell carcinoma?

Conclusion

High expression of PI3K and mTOR in renal cell carcinoma is associated with decreased survival, indicating they are promising drug targets.

Supporting Evidence

  • High p85 expression was associated with high stage and grade.
  • High p85 and mTOR expression correlated with decreased survival.
  • NVP-BEZ235 showed significant activity in RCC cell lines.

Takeaway

This study looked at how two important proteins, PI3K and mTOR, work together in kidney cancer and found that targeting them might help treat the disease better.

Methodology

The study used tissue microarrays and immunofluorescence to analyze protein expression in renal cell carcinoma specimens and assessed drug interactions in cell lines.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the retrospective nature of the study and the use of specific patient cohorts.

Limitations

The study did not include patients treated with certain therapies, and some clinical data were unavailable.

Participant Demographics

Patients included had various stages of renal cell carcinoma, with a median age of 63 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.0001

Confidence Interval

[1.004 - 1.048]

Statistical Significance

p<0.0001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1479-5876-9-133

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication