PI3Kinase Inhibition in Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer

Ajay Dhakal1, Luna Acharya2, Ruth O'Regan3

  • 1Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.

Insights

Targeting the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) pathway shows promise for breast cancer, but effective PI3K inhibitors with good safety profiles are still needed. This review examines clinical trials of PI3K inhibitors in breast cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Aberrant phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) signaling drives breast cancer progression, including survival, proliferation, and metastasis.
  • The PI3K pathway is a validated molecular target for breast cancer therapy.
  • Four PI3K isoforms exist, with drugs targeting individual isoforms or pan-PI3K under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review completed and ongoing clinical trials of PI3K inhibitors in breast cancer.
  • To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety profiles of PI3K inhibitors.
  • To discuss challenges and opportunities for PI3K inhibitor use in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of clinical trials involving PI3K inhibitors in breast cancer.
  • Analysis of therapeutic efficacy data from mono- and combination therapies.
  • Assessment of reported adverse effects and reasons for treatment discontinuation.

Main Results:

  • Several PI3K inhibitors are in various stages of clinical trials for breast cancer.
  • Efficacy varies, and challenges remain in achieving a balance between therapeutic effect and safety.
  • Adverse events are a significant factor influencing treatment discontinuation.

Conclusions:

  • PI3K inhibitors represent a promising therapeutic strategy for breast cancer.
  • Further research is needed to optimize PI3K inhibitor selection and treatment regimens.
  • Addressing safety concerns and identifying predictive biomarkers are crucial for successful clinical implementation.

Related Concept Videos

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
4.2K
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
5.0K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.9K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.9K
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
7.1K
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...
9.6K