PIK3CA mutations are genetic alterations that occur in the PIK3CA gene, which encodes the catalytic subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) enzyme. These mutations are commonly found in various types of cancer, including breast, colon, and ovarian cancer. PIK3CA mutations can lead to the dysregulation of the PI3K signaling pathway, which plays a critical role in cell growth, survival, and metabolism. Research in this area focuses on understanding the impact of PIK3CA mutations on cancer development and progression, as well as developing targeted therapies to exploit these mutations for cancer treatment.