The mTOR signaling pathway in pediatric neuroblastoma.

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial malignant solid tumors of childhood, and the majority of these high-risk tumors is resistant to nearly all the treatments and has a significantly worse outcome. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays a critical role in oncogenesis and cancer progression of many tumors. This review will describe the function of mTOR, its genetic regulation in pediatric neuroblastoma, and its value as a target for inhibition by anticancer agents for patients with NB.