Highlights from Understanding Signaling Pathways in Cancer

20 November 2012

Leslie K Ferrarelli, Nancy R. Gough

On November 6th 2012, the Koch Institute at MIT and its sponsoring partner Cell Signaling Technology hosted a symposium entitled "Understanding Signaling Pathways in Cancer." Speaking to a standing room only crowd, leaders in the field of cell signaling research shared recent findings and developments. The main themes of the day focused on the role that interconnected signaling networks play in cancer metabolism and resistance to chemotherapeutics. Many speakers presented data showing how cancer cells can dynamically rewire their signaling networks after drug-targeted kinase inhibition, which renders these cells resistant to continued inhibitor use. Another theme was how nutrient sensing through mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and other enzymes maintains metabolic homeostasis, and how these mechanisms are altered in cancer cells. Together, the presentations at the symposium highlighted just how critical it is that we tease out the complexity of cellular signaling if we are to have a fighting chance against cancer.