A team of researchers affiliated with a large number of institutions in the U.S. has found that a subgroup of breast cancers have two PIK3CA mutations ( change in the structure of PIK3CA gene}. In their paper published in the journal Science (Nov19), the group describes their study of the PIK3CA gene and its involvement in the development of cancerous tumours in humans. Alex Toker with Harvard University Medical School has published a Perspective piece in the same journal and its possible implications in the treatment of BREAST CANCER.

PIK3CA is an oncogene and is present in all human beings.It is one of the most frequently mutated genes in human cancers. Under normal conditions, it is the gene that codes properly for the protein p110a which is IMPORTANT FOR THE CELL MEMBRANES.In cancer cases, mutations in PIK3CA lead to overstimulation of cell growth and subsequent tumour development. Researchers suggest that the findings are likely to lead to the development of PI3K inhibitors that can be used with other chemotherapy drugs, hopefully improving the outcome for patients with mutations in PI3K3CA GENE.