Under hypoxia PDGF-BB is highly upregulated, leading to the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway.37 AKT activation occurs at a higher rate and has been described in a variety of cancer types including malignant mesothelioma.38, 39. The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is malignant mesothelioma.