MTOR and cancer: MAP4K3 is a Ser/Thr kinase that is believed to regulate the activation of mTOR pathway,42 which is crucial in regulating cell proliferation, cell growth, and inducing autophagy.43 A variety of cancers can be caused by hyperactivation of the mTOR pathway.44–46 Owing to the importance of mTOR pathway and the major role of MAP4K3 in activating mTOR pathway, miR-26a may inhibit cell viability and invasiveness by downregulating MAP4K3.