miRNA regulation of the Akt/mTOR pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a focused review

Abstract Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) contributes significantly to global cancer mortality, characterized by a progression from hyperplasia to invasive cancer through a series of genetic and epigenetic alterations. Central to this progression is the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, which regulates...

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Main Authors: Shazia Fathima Jaffer Hussain, Mohammad Fareed, Mohmed Isaqali Karobari
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-07-01
Series:Discover Oncology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-03073-2
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author Shazia Fathima Jaffer Hussain
Mohammad Fareed
Mohmed Isaqali Karobari
author_facet Shazia Fathima Jaffer Hussain
Mohammad Fareed
Mohmed Isaqali Karobari
author_sort Shazia Fathima Jaffer Hussain
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) contributes significantly to global cancer mortality, characterized by a progression from hyperplasia to invasive cancer through a series of genetic and epigenetic alterations. Central to this progression is the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, which regulates cell proliferation and survival. This review examines the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in modulating the Akt/mTOR pathway and their implications for OSCC. The Akt/mTOR pathway, activated by receptor tyrosine kinases and involving the PI3K/AKT/mTOR complexes, is crucial for tumor cell growth and metabolism. Dysregulation of this pathway is frequently observed in OSCC, leading to increased proliferation, survival, and metastasis. miRNAs, such as miR-21, miR-99, and miR-145, play significant roles in regulating this pathway by influencing key components like Akt and mTOR. These miRNAs can act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors, affecting cancer progression and response to therapy. The review highlights the potential of targeting miRNAs for OSCC treatment, including strategies to restore normal miRNA levels or inhibit aberrant miRNAs. Such targeted therapies offer promise for improving treatment outcomes and overcoming drug resistance in OSCC. Graphical abstract
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institution Kabale University
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spelling doaj-art-9e79f0ce10e241389833a3fcc3b9ce7c2025-08-20T04:03:06ZengSpringerDiscover Oncology2730-60112025-07-0116111310.1007/s12672-025-03073-2miRNA regulation of the Akt/mTOR pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a focused reviewShazia Fathima Jaffer Hussain0Mohammad Fareed1Mohmed Isaqali Karobari2Global Research Cell, Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College & Hospital, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University)Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, AlMaarefa UniversityDepartment of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha UniversityAbstract Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) contributes significantly to global cancer mortality, characterized by a progression from hyperplasia to invasive cancer through a series of genetic and epigenetic alterations. Central to this progression is the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, which regulates cell proliferation and survival. This review examines the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in modulating the Akt/mTOR pathway and their implications for OSCC. The Akt/mTOR pathway, activated by receptor tyrosine kinases and involving the PI3K/AKT/mTOR complexes, is crucial for tumor cell growth and metabolism. Dysregulation of this pathway is frequently observed in OSCC, leading to increased proliferation, survival, and metastasis. miRNAs, such as miR-21, miR-99, and miR-145, play significant roles in regulating this pathway by influencing key components like Akt and mTOR. These miRNAs can act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors, affecting cancer progression and response to therapy. The review highlights the potential of targeting miRNAs for OSCC treatment, including strategies to restore normal miRNA levels or inhibit aberrant miRNAs. Such targeted therapies offer promise for improving treatment outcomes and overcoming drug resistance in OSCC. Graphical abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-03073-2Oral squamous cell carcinomaAkt/mTOR signaling pathwayMicroRNAsCell proliferationCancer metastasisGenetic alterations
spellingShingle Shazia Fathima Jaffer Hussain
Mohammad Fareed
Mohmed Isaqali Karobari
miRNA regulation of the Akt/mTOR pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a focused review
Discover Oncology
Oral squamous cell carcinoma
Akt/mTOR signaling pathway
MicroRNAs
Cell proliferation
Cancer metastasis
Genetic alterations
title miRNA regulation of the Akt/mTOR pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a focused review
title_full miRNA regulation of the Akt/mTOR pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a focused review
title_fullStr miRNA regulation of the Akt/mTOR pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a focused review
title_full_unstemmed miRNA regulation of the Akt/mTOR pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a focused review
title_short miRNA regulation of the Akt/mTOR pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a focused review
title_sort mirna regulation of the akt mtor pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma a focused review
topic Oral squamous cell carcinoma
Akt/mTOR signaling pathway
MicroRNAs
Cell proliferation
Cancer metastasis
Genetic alterations
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-03073-2
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AT mohmedisaqalikarobari mirnaregulationoftheaktmtorpathwayinoralsquamouscellcarcinomaafocusedreview