Natural products as PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway inhibitors for the management of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer (CC), a prevalent gynecological malignancy in women, presents challenges in late-stage treatment efficacy in women [1]. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is among the most frequently dysregulated pathways in patients with cervical cancer. The activation of this pathway is associated with increased cell growth and clinical outcome, and its overexpression is associated with a poor prognosis [2]. (Although there are several reviews summarizing the natural compounds targeting numerous cells signaling pathways [3] but very less or none of the review have summarized only those bioactive compounds targeting PI3K/Akt/mTOR in cervical cancer management. Therefore, this editorial aimed at summarizing only those natural compounds that inhibit PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway as a potent therapeutic approach in cervical cancer management.

Several oncogenic signaling pathways such as (TGF-β, PI3K/Akt, JAK/STAT, MAPK/p38, Notch, NF-κB) have been identified to be associated with CC progression via modulating gene expression [4]. Thorough understanding of these cells signaling pathways and their modulating could provide new avenues for targeting cervical carcinoma. Several conventional therapeutics including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery, remains less effective and presented severe adverse reactions in cancer [5]. Hence, there is a crucial need for elucidating compounds with limiting toxicities and better therapeutic efficacy. 

Bioactive compounds have been displayed as potent lead candidate for anticancer drug development via targeting numerous signaling pathways [6]. Their chemical structures facilitated them to target several signaling pathways, making them extremely useful for anticancer drug development. Hence, the aim of this editorial is to elucidate only those natural compounds for inducing apoptosis in cervical cancer cells that is associated with the progression of cervical carcinoma via targeting PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.