PI3K/AKT/mTOR and PD‑1/CTLA‑4/CD28 pathways as key targets of cancer immunotherapy (Review)

Oncol Lett. 2024 Sep 26;28(6):567. doi: 10.3892/ol.2024.14700. eCollection 2024 Dec.

Abstract

T cells play an important role in cancer, and energy metabolism can determine both the proliferation and differentiation of T cells. The inhibition of immune checkpoint molecules programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) are a promising cancer treatment. In recent years, research on CD28 has increased. Although numerous reports involve CD28 and its downstream PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling mechanisms in T cell metabolism, they have not yet been elucidated. A literature search strategy was used for the databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library to ensure broad coverage of medical and scientific literature, using a combination of keywords including, but not limited to, 'lung cancer' and 'immunotherapy'. Therefore, the present study reviewed the interaction and clinical application of the PD-1/CTLA-4/CD28 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways in T cells, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for immunotherapy in clinical cancer patients.

Keywords: PI3K/AKT/mTOR; T cells; cancer; metabolism; programmed cell death protein 1/cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4/CD28; proliferation.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

Funding: No funding was received.