Molecular pathways: PI3K pathway targets in triple-negative breast cancers

Clin Cancer Res. 2013 Jul 15;19(14):3738-44. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-12-0274. Epub 2013 Jun 7.

Abstract

The triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype, defined clinically by the lack of estrogen, progesterone, and Her2 receptor expression, accounts for 10% to 15% of annual breast cancer diagnoses. Currently, limited therapeutic options have shown clinical benefit beyond cytotoxic chemotherapy. Defining this clinical cohort and identifying subtype-specific molecular targets remain critical for new therapeutic development. The current era of high-throughput molecular analysis has revealed new insights into these targets and confirmed the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) as a key player in pathogenesis. The improved knowledge of the molecular basis of TNBC in parallel with efforts to develop new PI3K pathway-specific inhibitors may finally produce the therapeutic breakthrough that is desperately needed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drug Synergism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Signal Transduction
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / enzymology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases