Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and Microtubules (mTOR/Microtubules)

The target 'mTOR + Microtubules' refers to a dual-therapeutic strategy targeting the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and the microtubule network. mTOR is a critical serine/threonine kinase that integrates signals from nutrients and growth factors to regulate cell growth, protein synthesis, and autophagy [1]. Microtubules are dynamic polymers of tubulin that provide structural support and are essential for the segregation of chromosomes during mitosis [2]. In oncology, the simultaneous inhibition of these two pathways is used to achieve synergistic effects, as mTOR signaling often promotes resistance to microtubule-targeting agents, and microtubules serve as a scaffold for mTOR complex localization [3]. This combination is particularly relevant in treating advanced cancers where single-agent therapy is insufficient to overcome compensatory signaling. While not a single protein, the mTOR-microtubule axis represents a significant focus for combination therapies and the development of dual-acting small molecules designed to hit both components simultaneously [4].

Other names

mTOR and TubulinmTOR-microtubule axismTOR/Microtubule dual targetMechanistic target of rapamycin and Cytoskeletal microtubules

The mechanism involves the simultaneous inhibition of the mTOR signaling pathway (reducing protein synthesis and cell growth) and the disruption of microtubule dynamics (inducing mitotic arrest in the G2/M phase and subsequent apoptosis) [3][4].