Prognostic value of the PIK3CA, AKT, PTEN mutations in oral squamous cell carcinoma: literature review

Over 260,000 (2013) new oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cases are reported annually worldwide. Despite development in OSCC management, the outcome is still unsatisfactory. Identification of new molecular markers may be of use in prevention, prognosis and choice of an adequate therapy. The intracellular molecular signaling pathway of phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase is involved in the process of cell growth, differentiation, migration and survival. Main components of this pathway: PIK3CA (phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate-3-kinase catalytic subunit α), PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10) and AKT (serine-threonine kinase) are potential objects of research when introducing new therapeutic agents. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the PIK3CA, PTEN and AKT genes mutations as prognostic factors in OSCC and to describe their role in aggressive disease progression. This is crucial for oral cancer biology understanding and for indicating which direction new clinical treatments should take.