Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases in tumor progression

Many cellular processes have been identified in which phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase has a key regulatory function. As an oncogene, it is also involved in the development of cancer. The transformation and progression of normal cells towards an advanced stage tumor and/or towards metastatic lesions in volves a complex series of events, including genetic alterations, leading t o aberrant cell cycle progression, altered adhesion and motility characteri stics, inhibition of apoptosis and induction of angiogenesis. This review h ighlights the processes involved in the pathogenesis of cancer in which pho sphatidylinositol 3-kinase is involved and provides an overview of the poss ible mechanisms by which the enzyme exerts its oncogenic action.