The Pathogenic Role of PI3K/AKT Pathway in Cancer Onset and Drug Resistance: An Updated Review

Overview

Journal Cancers (Basel)

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Oncology

Date 2021 Aug 27

PMID 34439105

Citations 125

Authors

Federica Rascio

Federica Spadaccino

Maria Teresa Rocchetti

Giuseppe Castellano

Giovanni Stallone

Giuseppe Stefano Netti

Elena Ranieri

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The PI3K/AKT pathway is one of the most frequently over-activated intracellular pathways in several human cancers. This pathway, acting on different downstream target proteins, contributes to the carcinogenesis, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of tumour cells. A multi-level impairment, involving mutation and genetic alteration, aberrant regulation of miRNAs sequences, and abnormal phosphorylation of cascade factors, has been found in multiple cancer types. The deregulation of this pathway counteracts common therapeutic strategies and contributes to multidrug resistance. In this review, we underline the involvement of this pathway in patho-physiological cell survival mechanisms, emphasizing its key role in the development of drug resistance. We also provide an overview of the potential inhibition strategies currently available.

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