A major cell survival and growth signaling relay — activated by IGF-1, KGF, and other growth factors to tell cells to grow, divide, and not die.Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) is activated by growth factor receptors including IGF1R and KGFR. PI3K produces PIP3, which recruits and activates Akt (protein kinase B). Akt phosphorylates numerous targets including mTOR (protein synthesis), FOXO transcription factors (apoptosis suppression), and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (glycogen metabolism). This pathway drives cell survival, proliferation, and metabolic activity — and is constitutively activated in many cancers, which is why growth factors that stimulate it require careful consideration in oncology contexts.