Phosphoinositide 3-kinases in the gut: a link between inflammation and cancer?

Carcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract is the most common internal malignancy affecting men and women in Western countries. Chronic intestinal inflammation, especially of the colon, is also a Western disease and correlates with a significantly increased risk of developing cancer. This has suggested that the immune processes involved in both conditions might share some common pathways. Indeed, there is increasing evidence that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI 3-kinases) are involved in both the pathogenesis of colorectal carcinoma and intestinal inflammation. Here, we discuss this rapidly progressing area of research, presenting evidence for a pivotal role of PI 3-kinase(s) in intestinal pathophysiology.