In the post human-genome project era, cancer specific genomic maps are
redesigning tumor taxonomy by evolving from histopathology to molecular
pathology. The success of a cancer drug today is fundamentally based on
the success in identifying target genes that control beneficial
pathways. The overwhelming power of genomics and proteomics has
enlightened researchers about the fact that the PI3K-mTOR pathway is the
most commonly up-regulated signal transduction pathway in various
cancers, either by virtue of its activation downstream of many cell
surface growth factor receptors or by virtue of its collateral and
compensatory circuitry with RAS-MAPK pathway. Oncogenic signaling in the
majority of solid tumors is sustained via the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway.
Because of its prominent role in many cancer types, the PI3K-mTOR
pathway has become a major therapeutic target. The volume includes two
complementary parts which address the problem of etiology and disease
progression and is intended to portray the very basic mechanisms of the
PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway's involvement in various facets of the
cancer, including stem cell renewal, cell metabolism, angiogenesis,
genetic instability, and drug resistance. Significant progress has been
made in recent years elucidating the molecular mechanism of cancer cell
proliferation, angiogenesis, and drug-resistance in relation to the
PI3K-mTOR pathway and this volume provides an in-depth overview of
recent developments made in this area.