PI3K Inhibition for Squamous Cell Head and Neck Carcinoma

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is aberrantly activated in most head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, making it a prized target for targeted therapy development. Multiple PI3K inhibitors have been studied in early phase trials, with unfavorable risk-benefit ratios in molecularly unselected patient populations. Buparlisib, a potent pan-class I PI3K inhibitor, shows promising efficacy in combination with paclitaxel for advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Results of the phase III BURAN trial are awaited.

Automated summary

The PI3K pathway is abnormally activated in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, making it a valuable target for targeted therapy. Multiple PI3K inhibitors have been studied but have shown unfavorable risk-benefit ratios in unselected patient populations. Buparlisib, a potent pan-class I PI3K inhibitor, has shown promising efficacy when combined with paclitaxel for advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Results of the phase III BURAN trial are pending.