Cancer-specific mutations in PIK3CA are oncogenic in vivo

The PIK3CA gene, coding for the catalytic subunit p110 alpha of class IA phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3s), is frequently mutated in human cancer. Mutated p110 alpha proteins show a gain of enzymatic function in vitro and are oncogenic in cell culture. Here, we show that three prevalent mutants of p110 alpha, E542K, E545K, and H1047R, are oncogenic in vivo. They induce tumors in the chorioallantoic membrane of the chicken embryo and cause hemangiosarcomas in the animal. These tumors are marked by increased angiogenesis and an activation of the Akt pathway. The target of rapamycin inhibitor RAD001 blocks tumor growth induced by the H1047R p110 alpha mutant. The in vivo oncogenicity of PIK3CA mutants in an avian species strongly suggests a critical role for these mutated proteins in human malignancies.