Submit a Letter to the Editor for:
Steven Grant
J Clin Invest. 2008;
118(9):3003
doi:10.1172/JCI36898
Abstract |
Full text
|
PDF
M
ammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a component of a signaling pathway (PTEN/PI3K/AKT) that is frequently dysregulated in cancer. However, its precise relationship to the MAPK cascade (Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK), another pathway often implicated in tumorigenesis, has not been well defined. Recent evidence from tissue specimens obtained from patients who have received mTOR inhibitors suggests that ERK may be activated in response to mTOR interruption. In this issue of the JCI, Waugh Kinkade et al. and Carracedo et al. examine the relationship between these pathways in prostate and breast cancer cell model systems (see the related articles beginning on pages 3051 and 3065, respectively). Their findings suggest a link between inhibition of mTOR and ERK activation, possibly reflecting interruption of a novel negative S6K1-dependent feedback loop. Significantly, both groups observed that simultaneous inhibition of MEK/ERK and mTOR resulted in substantially enhanced antitumor effects both in vitro and in vivo. Together, these findings suggest that concurrent interruption of complementary signaling pathways warrants further investigation in cancer therapy.
Guidelines:
The Editorial Board will only consider letters that we deem relevant and of interest to our readers. We will not post data that have not been subjected to peer review, nor will we post letters that are essentially a reiteration of another letter. All accepted letters will be posted on our website within one week of acceptance. The Editors reserve the right to edit any letter for length, content, and clarity. Authors of all accepted letters will be asked to preview any changes. Authors will be notified by e-mail if their letters were not accepted. As this is a final decision, no appeals will be considered.
Specific requirements: All letters must be 400 words or fewer. You may enter the letter as plain text or HTML, if you wish. The author's name and e-mail address are required, and will be posted with the letter. All possible conflicts of interest must be noted, even if they are not posted. If you wish to include a figure (keep in mind that non-peer-reviewed data will not be posted), please contact the editor directly at editors@the-jci.org.
