The novel phosphoinositide 3-kinase-mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, BEZ235, circumvents erlotinib resistance ofepidermal growth factor receptormutant lung cancer cells triggered by hepatocyte growth factor

Acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), such as gefitinib and erlotinib, is a critical problem in the management of patients with EGFR mutant lung cancer. Several mechanisms have been reported involved in this acquired resistance, including hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) activation of an alternative pathway. PI3K and mTOR are downstream molecules of receptor tyrosine kinases, such as EGFR...