Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
mTOR pathway activation in cat skin squamous cell cancer
By Sanz Ressel, Berenice L et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2021·Laboratorio de Histologí·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Persistent activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin signalling pathway in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas in cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A study found that cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), the most common skin cancer in cats, often has a specific signaling pathway (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) that is activated. This pathway could be a target for new treatments in cats with this type of cancer. The research looked at tissue samples from 45 cats with CSCC and confirmed that this pathway is frequently active in these tumors. While the study suggests that targeting this pathway might help in treating feline CSCC, further research is needed to develop effective therapies.
People also search for: cat skin cancer treatment · feline squamous cell carcinoma signs · cat cancer signaling pathways
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) represents the most common malignant tumour of the feline skin. Emerging evidence suggests that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signalling pathway may represent a potential target for pharmacological intervention in human and canine CSCC. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to explore the expression pattern and status of activation of relevant signalling proteins of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway in feline CSCC. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The expression of pEGFR, pAkt, pS6combined with Ki-67, and the tumour suppressor protein PTEN was evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis in 45 samples of feline CSCC, using a tissue microarray. RESULTS: The immunodetection using phosphospecific antibodies to detect the activated forms of signalling proteins showed that the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway is frequently activated in feline CSCCs, and may be independent of the activation of EGFR. The results also showed that PTEN expression is not significantly altered in feline CSCCs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Our study shows that the persistent activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway represents a key event in feline CSCC, pointing to this signalling pathway being a potential therapeutic target in feline patients with CSCC.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34240493/