Review Article
Targeted therapy of obesity-associated colon cancer
Abstract
Obesity is increasing worldwide and has become a major health problem. It not only increases the incidence of colon cancer
but also leads to poorer prognosis. The mechanisms could be the activation of multiple signaling pathways including PI3K/
Akt, MAPK and STAT3 that are induced by increased levels of cancer risk factors in obesity. Activation of these signaling
pathways can cause drug resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, leading to poorer treatment outcome. Thus, inhibition of
these pathways may increase the therapeutic efficacy of obesity-associated colon cancer. Many small molecule inhibitors
have been developed for selection. Inhibition of a single signaling molecule may be not sufficient to reverse the activation
of signals in obesity. Dual inhibitors for PI3K and mTOR or dual inhibitors for Akt and MAPK may be more effective.
Combinational use of inhibitors could also increase treatment efficacy.
but also leads to poorer prognosis. The mechanisms could be the activation of multiple signaling pathways including PI3K/
Akt, MAPK and STAT3 that are induced by increased levels of cancer risk factors in obesity. Activation of these signaling
pathways can cause drug resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, leading to poorer treatment outcome. Thus, inhibition of
these pathways may increase the therapeutic efficacy of obesity-associated colon cancer. Many small molecule inhibitors
have been developed for selection. Inhibition of a single signaling molecule may be not sufficient to reverse the activation
of signals in obesity. Dual inhibitors for PI3K and mTOR or dual inhibitors for Akt and MAPK may be more effective.
Combinational use of inhibitors could also increase treatment efficacy.
