PDK2 and cancer: Another potential molecular mechanism by which WAVE3 regulates the PI3K/AKT pathway in this positive feedback loop may be through the WAVE3-mediated activation of PDK2 (pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isoform 2), which in turn activates AKT phosphorylation38, resulting in the promotion of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of cancer cells, as well the activation of EMT program and the CSC phenotype35,38.