Targeting AMPK as a valid therapeutic intervention in ovarian cancer

Abstract

Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, the incidence of ovarian cancer is rising and the associated mortality rate has not improved significantly over the past decade. Therefore, discovery of novel targets for therapies will improve the quality of life of patients. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an energy-sensor that maintains energy homeostasis in eukaryotic cells. Accumulating evidence has shown that AMPK activation suppresses cell proliferation in response to metabolic stress and induces apoptosis in many human cancer cells. AMPK is a heterotrimer composed of a catalytic subunit (α) and two regulatory subunits (β and γ). Our previous studies found that AMPK subunits are aberrantly expressed in ovarian cancer, and their expressions have significant correlations with ovarian cancer progression (Li et al, 2012). Indeed, we have recently reported that the reduced expression of AMPK-β1 confers lower AMPK activity, which enhances the oncogenic capacity of advanced-stage ovarian cancer (Li, C. et al, 2014, in press).