From humble beginnings over 25 years ago as a lipid kinase activity
associated with certain oncoproteins, PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)
has been catapulted to the forefront of drug development in cancer,
immunity and thrombosis, with the first clinical trials of PI3K pathway
inhibitors now in progress. Here we give a brief overview of some key
discoveries in the PI3K area and their impact, and include thoughts on
the current state of the field, and where it could go from here