Pivotal Role of mTOR Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background & AimsThe advent of targeted therapies in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has underscored the importance of pathway characterization to identify novel molecular targets for treatment. We evaluated mTOR signaling in human HCC, as well as the antitumoral effect of a dual-level blockade of the mTOR pathway.MethodsThe mTOR pathway was assessed using integrated data from mutation analysis (direct sequencing), DNA copy number changes (SNP-array), messenger RNA levels (quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and gene expression microarray), and protein activation (immunostaining) in 351 human samples [HCC (n = 314) and nontumoral tissue (n = 37)]. Effects of dual blockade of mTOR…

• AL
  American Liver Foundation
• AE
  Asociación Española para el Estudio del Hígado
• IC
  Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats
• FP
  Fundación Pedro Barrié de la Maza
• EA
  European Association for the Study of the Liver
• NI
  National Institutes of Health
• ID
  Instituto de Salud Carlos III

  Award: FIS-CM04/00044
• NI
  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

  Award: 1R01DK076986-01