How to inhibit breast cancer and breast cancer metastasis with Akt inhibitors: Lessons learned from studies in mice

The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is frequently hyperactivated in different types of breast cancer. In the past two decades, major efforts have been made to develop inhibitors of this pathway to treat cancer patients. However, the most evolutionarily conserved function of this pathway is in cellular and organismal metabolism, which is hijacked by cancer cells. Thus, adverse metabolic consequences are expected when PI3K or Akt is targeted. These metabolic consequences, particularly hyperinsulinemia, could impede the efficacy of treatment. This review summarizes recent genetic studies in mice that could pave the way to efficient breast cancer and breast cancer metastasis treatment with Akt inhibitors.