The mTOR Pathway: A Key Player in Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women worldwide. It puts a huge strain on both individual health and healthcare systems. At the heart of this disease are breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). These cells have special abilities. They can renew themselves, turn into different types of cells, and resist standard treatments. This makes them crucial in the spread, recurrence, and resistance of breast cancer. The mTOR pathway is a key player in regulating these BCSCs. It influences how these cells move, how they use energy, and how they survive when under attack from treatments. Think of mTOR as a conductor in an orchestra. It works with other important pathways and proteins. Together, they create a complex network that keeps BCSCs strong and resistant to therapies. The mTOR pathway interacts with several key signaling pathways. These include PI3K/Akt, Notch, IGF-1R, AMPK, and TGF-β. It also works with regulatory proteins and non-coding RNAs. This interaction helps BCSCs maintain their properties and resist chemotherapy and radiation. Researchers are exploring various ways to target the mTOR pathway in BCSCs. This includes using selective inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, natural products, and even nanoparticles for drug delivery. Clinical trials are testing mTOR inhibitors like sirolimus. They are also looking at combination therapies with agents such as everolimus and trastuzumab. The goal is to find ways to eliminate BCSCs and improve patient outcomes. Natural compounds and repurposed drugs are also showing promise. They can modulate mTOR activity and target specific vulnerabilities in BCSCs. This offers additional avenues for treatment. In summary, targeting the mTOR pathway could greatly improve breast cancer treatment. It could help eliminate BCSCs, reduce tumor recurrence, and improve survival rates. However, more research and clinical trials are needed. This will help turn these findings into effective treatments. Ultimately, this could lead to better, personalized care for breast cancer patients.