Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT signaling pathway (PI3K/AKT pathway)

The Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT signaling pathway is a critical signal transduction cascade that regulates fundamental cellular processes including proliferation, survival, growth, metabolism, and migration. It is one of the most frequently dysregulated pathways in human cancer, with alterations occurring through mutations in PIK3CA, loss of the tumor suppressor PTEN, or activating mutations in AKT itself. The pathway represents a major therapeutic target for cancer treatment, with numerous inhibitors targeting PI3K, AKT, and downstream mTOR in various stages of clinical development. The pathway's involvement in drug resistance and its regulation of apoptosis make it particularly relevant for combination therapy approaches in oncology.

Other names

PI3K-Akt pathwayPI3K/Akt signaling pathwayPI3K/PKB pathwayAkt signaling pathwayPI3K pathway

Direct PI3K inhibition (pan-PI3K inhibitors or isoform-specific inhibitors); AKT inhibition (blocking phosphorylation or kinase activity); Dual PI3K/mTOR inhibition (targeting structural similarities); mTORC1 and mTORC2 inhibition (second-generation mTOR blockers); Combination therapy with chemotherapy to overcome resistance.