Genetic variants of autophagy-related genes in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and risk of gastric cancer in the Chinese population.

Objective: Autophagic dysfunction could lead to tumorigenesis and affect tumor progression and prognosis. The PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway plays an important role in autophagy. The aim of the studies was to explore the association between genetic variants of autophagy-related genes in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and gastric cancer risk.