PI3K in cancer: divergent roles of isoforms, modes of activation and therapeutic targeting

Hyperactivation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signalling cascades is one of the most common events in human cancers. This Review discusses recent advances in our knowledge of the roles of distinct PI3K isoforms in normal and oncogenic signalling, and the current state and future potential of targeting this pathway in the clinic. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are crucial coordinators of intracellular signalling in response to extracellular stimuli. Hyperactivation of PI3K signalling cascades is one of the most common events in human cancers. In this Review, we discuss recent advances in our knowledge of the roles of specific PI3K isoforms in normal and oncogenic signalling, the different ways in which PI3K can be upregulated, and the current state and future potential of targeting this pathway in the clinic.