Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase Inhibition in Follicular Lymphoma

Abstract

Chemoimmunotherapy is the standard frontline treatment for symptomatic or high tumor burden follicular lymphoma. Better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of lymphomagenesis has led to the development of drugs targeting these pathways. The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase pathway is an important signaling pathway in B-cell lymphomas. Three drugs in this class have received FDA approval. We describe the efficacy and toxicities of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase inhibitors. Response rates in highly refractory disease are high, demonstrate few long-term remissions, and have high long-term toxicity. Early data on dosing and combination strategies are promising and may change how we use these agents in the coming years.

Keywords: Autoimmune toxicity; Combination therapy; Follicular lymphoma; PI3 kinase; Targeted therapy.