TY - JOUR T1 - PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway and the Biphasic effect of Arsenic in Carcinogenesis JF - Molecular Pharmacology JO - Mol Pharmacol DO - 10.1124/mol.118.112268 SP - mol.118.112268 AU - Qiao Yi Chen AU - Max Costa Y1 - 2018/01/01 UR - http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/early/2018/05/16/mol.118.112268.abstract N2 - Arsenic is a naturally occurring ubiquitous metalloid found in the Earth's crust. In its inorganic form, Arsenic is highly toxic and carcinogenic, and is widely found across the globe and through out the environment. As an International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) defined Class I human carcinogen, arsenic has been found to cause multiple human cancers including liver, lung, urinary bladder, skin, kidney, and prostate. Mechanisms of arsenic-induced carcinogenesis remain elusive and this review specifically focuses on the role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in promoting cancer development. In addition to exerting potent carcinogenic responses, arsenic is also known for its therapeutic effects against acute promyelocytic leukemia. Current literature suggests that arsenic is capable of achieving both therapeutic as well as carcinogenic effects, and this review serves to examine the paradoxical effects of arsenic, specifically through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Furthermore, A comprehensive review of current literature reveals an imperative need for future studies to establish and pinpoint the exact conditions for which arsenic can, and through what mechanisms it is able to differentially regulate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in order to maximize the therapeutic and minimize the carcinogenic properties of arsenic. ER -