Background: Activation of the PI3K pathway is implicated in a number of tumour types, including haematological malignancies. Agents that target this pathway at different levels (e.g. RTK, PI3K, mTOR etc) have shown promising activity in preclinical models and in early phase trials. We have therefore investigated the activity of novel, potent, pan- and isoform-selective PI3K pathway inhibitors in lymphoma and myeloma models. Methods: Compounds studied included those with selectivity for mTOR (INK128, mTOR IC50 1.6 nM), PI3Kδ/γ (INK713, INK1048, IC50s ,10 nM for δ/γ isoforms, ,50 nM for others) and PI3Kδ/γ/β (INK1138, IC50s ,10 nM for each isoform). IC87114 (δ- selective), GDC-0941 (α/δ selective), rapamycin and doxorubicin were included as comparators. Agents were studied in a panel of lymphoma and myeloma cell lines, in normal PBMCs and in primary tumours cultured with stromal cells. Effects on cell viability and proliferation were assessed using the Guava Viacount assay, on
apoptosis ...