Human mesothelioma cells exhibit tumor cell-specific differences in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT activity that predict the efficacy of Onconase.

Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer with no known cure, which has become a therapeutic challenge. Onconase is one of few chemotherapeutic agents that have been studied in patients with malignant mesothelioma that has the advantage of low toxicity and limited side effects. Here, we evaluate the effect of Onconase on killing of malignant mesothelioma cells and how the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT (PI3-K/AKT) survival pathway influences this effect.