(PI3K)/AKT SIGNALLING PATHWAY – A PANDORA’S BOX IN ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Abstract

Molecular mechanisms of cancer involve mutations of several genes triggering various pathway alterations. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) represents approximately 10% of the head and neck cancers and is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Central and Eastern Europe. The main aim of this review article is to present an overview of one of the major actors in cellular processes’ regulation that are key features of cancer molecular events - the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway. The altered molecular signalling pathways in OSCC have been discussed, emphasizing the frequent disruption of the PI3K/AKT pathway in cancer. Thus, the aspects presented in this article highlight this pathway as an important target for new therapeutic strategies.

Keywords

• oral squamous cell carcinoma
• pi3k/akt signalling pathway
• p53 protein