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PI3K in cancer: its structure, activation modes and role in shaping tumor microenvironment

Xiaoyan Liu1, Yan Xu1, Qing Zhou1

  • 1Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Lung Cancer Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, PR China.

Future Oncology (London, England)
|December 9, 2017
PubMed

Insights

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is crucial in cancer development and progression. Inhibiting PI3K offers potential synergistic effects with chemotherapy and immunotherapy by impacting tumor immunity and angiogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is frequently hyperactivated in human cancers, driven by mutations in genes like PIK3CA.
  • This pathway regulates critical cancer cell functions including proliferation, survival, and metabolism.
  • PI3K signaling also influences tumor microenvironment aspects like angiogenesis and immune response.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the structural and activation characteristics of PI3Ks.
  • To explore the implications of PI3K signaling in angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, and tumor immunity.
  • To highlight the therapeutic potential of PI3K inhibition in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of PI3K structures and functions.
  • Analysis of PI3K pathway's role in cancer-related processes.
  • Synthesis of information on PI3K inhibition strategies.

Main Results:

  • PI3K pathway dysregulation is a common hallmark of cancer.
  • PI3K inhibition can modulate angiogenesis and extracellular matrix remodeling.
  • Targeting PI3K may enhance anti-tumor immune responses.

Conclusions:

  • PI3K pathway is a critical target for cancer therapy.
  • Inhibition of PI3K can exert tumor cell-extrinsic effects, synergizing with other treatments.
  • Understanding PI3K structures and activation is key to developing effective cancer therapies.
Keywords:
PI3Kcancermicroenvironment

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