PIK3CA Gene Mutations in Solid Malignancies: Association with Clinicopathological Parameters and Prognosis

• Main Authors: Ali Alqahtani, Hazem S. K. Ayesh, Hafez Halawani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-12-01
• Series: Cancers
• Subjects: solid malignancy; <i>pik3ca</i>; mutation; overall survival; pi3k/akt/mtor pathway
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/12/1/93

Phosphoinositide kinases (PIKs) are a group of lipid kinases that are important upstream activators of various significant signaling pathways. Hyperactivation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways&#8212;either via mutations or genomic amplification&#8212;confers key oncogenic activity, essential for the development and progression of several solid tumors. Alterations in the <i>PIK3CA</i> gene are associated with poor prognosis of solid malignancies. Although the literature reports contradictory prognostic values of <i>PIK3CA</i> in aggressive cancers, most of the available data highlight the important role of <i>PIK3CA</i> mutation in mediating tumorigenesis via increased signaling of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR survival pathway. Several inhibitors of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways are investigated as potential therapeutic options in solid malignancies. This article reviews the role of <i>PIK3CA</i> mutations and inhibitors of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways in major cancer types and examines its association with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis.