title: The Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt Signaling Pathway in Neuroendocrine Tumors.
abstract: The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathway is often aberrantly activated in neuroendocrine-derived cancers. Therefore, selectively targeting this pathway using small-molecule inhibitors may reduce neuroendocrine tumor burden, potentiate adjunct therapies, and achieve symptomatic control for patients with hormonally active and inoperable disease. Here, we discuss the role of the PI3K-Akt pathway in the malignant transformation of neuroendocrine tumors, specifically carcinoids and small cell lung cancers. The collective findings presented in this review propose that selective targeting of the PI3K-Akt pathway may mitigate neuroendocrine tumor progression, thus offering a viable therapeutic approach for managing systemic disease.
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Surgery Research Laboratories, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and the UW Carbone Cancer Center, Madison 53705, USA.
authors.forename: Yash R
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Somnay
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Surgery Research Laboratories, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and the UW Carbone Cancer Center, Madison 53705, USA.
authors.forename: Muthusamy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kunnimalaiyaan
keywords: ASCL1; Akt; Carcinoids; Chromogranin A; NE Tumors; Notch pathway; Raf-1 pathway; SCLC