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Updated: May 10, 2026

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Published on: September 30, 2016
Carcinogenesis of PIK3CA
Sidra German1, Hafiz Muhammad Aslam, Shafaq Saleem
1Final year student of Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan. coolaslam8@hotmail.com.
The PIK3CA gene is frequently altered in many cancers, controlling crucial cell functions. Inhibiting the PI3K pathway offers promising therapeutic strategies for various carcinomas.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The PIK3CA gene, encoding phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase, catalytic subunit alpha, is the most frequently mutated oncogene in human cancers.
- Alterations in PIK3CA are common in endometrial, ovarian, colorectal, breast, and other cancers, impacting cell growth, proliferation, and survival.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significance of PIK3CA mutations in human cancers.
- To discuss the therapeutic potential of inhibiting the PI3K signaling pathway.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on PIK3CA mutations and PI3K pathway inhibitors.
- Analysis of the role of PIK3CA in cancer development and progression.
Main Results:
- PIK3CA mutations are prevalent across a wide spectrum of human malignancies.
- Inhibition of PI3K signaling demonstrates efficacy in reducing cancer cell proliferation and promoting cell death.
Conclusions:
- PIK3CA is a critical oncogene and a validated target for cancer therapy.
- Various PI3K pathway inhibitors, including pan-PI3K, isoform-specific inhibitors, and dual PI3K-mTOR inhibitors, are advanced in clinical development and approved for treating several carcinomas.
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