How the PI3K–AKT pathway helps cancers grow
Discovery, Regulation and Function of the PI 3-Kinase and AKT Pathway in Cancer
Researchers are exploring how the PI3K–AKT signaling system helps cancer cells grow and survive so they can find weak points that might lead to better treatments for people with cancers driven by this pathway.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11163343 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, this project uses lab-grown cancer cells, genetic CRISPR screens, and molecular techniques to map how the PI3K/AKT pathway controls tumor behavior. The team will identify genes and proteins controlled by AKT and test which ones make cancer cells especially vulnerable. They will connect findings from cell and molecular models to human cancer samples to ensure relevance to real tumors. The overall aim is to discover new targets that drug developers could use to create more effective therapies for cancers that rely on this pathway.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers known to have PI3K/AKT pathway activation (for example some breast, ovarian, endometrial, or other solid tumors) would be most likely to benefit from advances based on this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not depend on PI3K/AKT signaling or those seeking an immediate change in their current treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new drug targets that make PI3K/AKT-driven cancers more treatable.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown PI3K/AKT is central in many cancers and some drugs target parts of this pathway, but clinical responses have been limited, so this work builds on mixed results while using new genetic screening approaches.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Toker, Alex — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Toker, Alex
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.