Radiation sensitization of human cancer cells in vivo by inhibiting the activity of PI3K using LY294002.

Multiple genetic alterations such as in Ras or EGFR can result in sustained signaling through PI3K. Our previous experiments have shown that resistance to radiation results from PI3K activity in cells in culture. Here we examined whether inhibition of PI3K in vivo would sensitize tumors to radiation.

C-Raf-1 protein kinase is not essential for Ras transformation of mouse embryo fibroblasts.

Transfection of primary cells with mutated oncogenic ras plus a cooperating oncogene such as myc results in the acquisition of the transformed cell phenotype. The pathways downstream of Ras that are required for transformation are an active topic of research. The Raf-MEKK-MAP kinase pathway is triggered by activation of Ras and thought to be important in Ras transformation of rodent fibroblasts.

Local recurrence in head and neck cancer: relationship to radiation resistance and signal transduction.

Purpose: Locoregional recurrence is the dominant form of treatment failure in head and neck (H&N) cancer. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is frequently amplified in this disease ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF