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Akt/PKB signaling in cancer: a function in cell motility and invasion

Merav Yoeli-Lerner1, Alex Toker

  • 1Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.

Cell Cycle (Georgetown, Tex.)
|April 4, 2006
PubMed

Insights

The PI 3-K/Akt pathway, crucial in cancer, may surprisingly suppress tumor cell metastasis. This review explores Akt

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway regulates critical cellular functions.
  • Aberrant PI3K signaling is implicated in human cancers, with Akt kinase being a key target.
  • Elevated Akt activity promotes tumor cell survival, making it a therapeutic target.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on the Akt signaling pathway.
  • To explore the emerging role of Akt as a potential suppressor of tumor cell migration and invasion.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating the PI3K/Akt pathway in cancer.
  • Analysis of research on Akt's function in tumor cell migration and invasion.

Main Results:

  • Akt signaling is frequently dysregulated in various cancers, often promoting tumor cell survival.
  • Emerging evidence suggests Akt can inhibit tumor cell migration and invasion.
  • These findings challenge the conventional view of Akt solely as an oncogene.

Conclusions:

  • Akt's role in cancer is complex, with dual functions in promoting survival and suppressing metastasis.
  • Targeting Akt may have nuanced implications for cancer therapy, particularly concerning metastatic progression.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate Akt's function as a metastasis suppressor.

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