The PIK3CA biomarker and colorectal cancer

PIK3CA is a gene that is involved in several different processes in cell growth. A PIK3CA mutation is a driver mutation that drives the growth of cells.

It exists in many types of cancer and in 10-20 percent of colorectal cancers.

It is a somatic (acquired) mutation that occurs only in cancer cells. It is not a hereditary (germline mutation) and does not pass from generation to generation in a family.

Routine testing for the PIK3CA biomarker is not currently recommended.

If you are diagnosed with stage IV (metastatic) colorectal cancer and have comprehensive biomarker panel testing done on your tumor through genomics analysis like Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), PIK3CA will be part of the panel.

A mutation in the PIK3CA gene is a prognostic biomarker for aggressive tumor growth.

Patients with this mutation have an increased risk for the tumor coming back (recurring).

Patients with PIK3CA-mutated colorectal cancer should receive standard chemotherapy.

There is at least one drug being used successfully in PIK3CA-mutated breast cancer and it has opened up clinical trials for other PIK3CA-mutated solid tumors, including colorectal cancer.

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Contact your doctor immediately if you are experiencing severe symptoms.