The effects of PIK3CA mutations on cervical cancer

Abstract

Cervical cancer is one of the major problems affecting women’s health worldwide. Dysregulation of cellular signalling pathways, PI3K-Akt axis, in particular, may be linked to the development and malignant metastasis of cervical cancer. PIK3CA gene codes a catalytic subgroup of phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase A (PI3K-A), which is an essential element in PI3K-Akt pathway. However, the particular function of the PI3K-Akt axis in cervical cancer remains unclear. Mutations of PIK3CA in cervical cancer may be correlated with disease progression. Mutant PIK3CA may activate PI3K-AKT-mTOR and PIK3CA-E545K-SIRT4 signalling pathways, which in turn promotes cell propagation, invasion, and metastasis. Thus, the potential therapeutic approaches for targeting PIK3CA to treat cervical cancer have been studied, including several commercial inhibitors such as Buparlisib, Alpelisib, Dactolisib, etc. This review outlines the function of mutant PIK3CA and places special emphasis on the potential for targeting the PI3K-Akt axis as well as the effectiveness of PIK3CA inhibition as a treatment for cervical cancer. Clarification of the mechanism and clinical relevance of PIK3CA mutation-induced cervical cancer is still needed.