While, these mutations are rare in acute leukemias constitutive phosphorylation of AKT is nevertheless frequently found. In some cases, activation of AKT can be linked to gain of function tyrosine kinase mutations. However, in most cases of acute leukemia BI 6727 with detectable activation of the PI3KAKT pathway, the molecular mech anisms are unknown. Inhibitors,Modulators,Libraries Targeting the PI3KAKT pathway is an attractive thera peutic strategy and various small molecule inhibitors are under clinical investigation. Proof of principle for the clinical potential to inhibit the PI3KAKT pathway in human neoplasms was provided by the successful develop ment of rapamycin derivatives in the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma, where temsirolimus provides a significant Inhibitors,Modulators,Libraries overall survival benefit.
Rapamycin and its analogues are highly specific inhibitors of the serinethreo nine mammalian target of Inhibitors,Modulators,Libraries rapamycin kinase. Although an antileukemic activity of rapamycin has been reported in some patients with AML it is now believed that several resistance mechanisms may prevent activity of rapamycin therapy in leukemia Two mTOR complexes have been described, of which only the raptor associated MTOR complex 1 is a target of rapamycin whereas the rictor regulated MTOR complex 2 is not affected by rapamycin inhibition. Even more, MTORC1 inhibition results in increased PI3KAKT but also MAPK activity via strong negative feedback loop mechanisms. Consequently, specific inhibitors globally and sus tainably suppressing PI3KAKT signaling pathways may provide an improved antitumor response.
We herein provide evidence that AKT is frequently phosphorylated and exclusively augmented in native leukemia samples compared to physiologic mononuclear cells, making the PI3KAKT pathway an attractive target in the treatment of acute leukemia. In an attempt to globally block PI3KAKTMTORC sig naling we Inhibitors,Modulators,Libraries tested the antileukemic potency of a novel pan class I PI3K and MTORC1 plus MTORC2 inhibitor, NVP BGT226, in comparison to a second dual inhibitor currently widely under clinical inves tigation including acute leukemia. Our data will Inhibitors,Modulators,Libraries provide a strong rationale for clinical evaluation of NVP BGT226 in acute leukemias with acti vated PI3KAKT signaling. Results AKT is maximally activated in acute leukemia The PI3K AKT signal transduction pathway is frequently activated in acute leukemias. Moreover, mice transplanted with AKT activated hematopoietic stem cells develop acute leukemia, indicating the leukemogenic potential of an activated PI3KAKT pathway. Maximal activation selleck chem DAPT secretase of AKT results from the phosphor ylation of threonine and serine residues at positions 308 and 473.