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Recent clinical advances in PI3K inhibitors on colorectal cancer

Mingliang Zhu1, Qiuyang Jin1, Yizhou Xin2

  • 1Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.

Die Pharmazie
|January 6, 2022
PubMed

Insights

PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway inhibitors show promise for colorectal cancer treatment by targeting excessive signaling. This review covers approved and investigational PI3K inhibitors for this disease.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway regulates critical cellular processes including cell cycle, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, apoptosis, autophagy, and drug resistance.
  • Dysregulation and impaired negative regulation of this pathway are observed in colorectal cancer.
  • Alpelisib, a PI3K inhibitor, is FDA-approved for specific breast cancers, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting this pathway.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in colorectal cancer development and progression.
  • To summarize PI3K inhibitors currently on the market or in clinical trials for colorectal cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in colorectal cancer.
  • Analysis of approved and investigational PI3K inhibitors relevant to colorectal cancer.

Main Results:

  • The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is frequently hyperactivated in colorectal cancer.
  • Inhibitors targeting PI3K demonstrate therapeutic potential in preclinical models of colorectal cancer.
  • Several PI3K inhibitors are available or under investigation for clinical application.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway represents a viable therapeutic strategy for colorectal cancer.
  • Further research and clinical trials are warranted to evaluate the efficacy of PI3K inhibitors in colorectal cancer patients.

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