The Role of miRNAs in PI3K Signaling Pathway in Blood Malignancies: A Review Article

The PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway is one of the most important intracellular signaling pathways by regulating the cell cycle process. The direct relationship of this pathway with important mechanisms such as cell quiescence, longevity, and proliferation has been established. The overactive PI3K pathway with decreased and increased apoptosis and cell proliferation respectively is involved in pathogenesis of many cancers, including blood malignancies such as leukemia.

Laboratory findings have shown that different factors, such as miRNAs, play a role in regulating PI3K signaling pathway. These molecules can alter the fate of a cell by interfering in suppression/overexpression of mRNA, transcription factors or stimulating the transcription of some genes. In this article, we reviewed the role of miRNAs in regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and its effect on leukemic progression and treatment failure.

At present, miRNAs are known to be one of the causes of treatment failure and relapse in cancers.