Platelets mediate tumor cell IL-8 via the Akt signaling pathway. An Akt signaling array was performed to interrogate activation of the Akt pathway. (A) MDA-MB-231 tumor cells were treated with platelets, lysed, and run on an Akt Signaling Array to interrogate phosphorylation levels of members within the Akt pathway. (B) To determine whether Akt pathway activation is necessary for platelet-induced IL-8 release, MDA-MB-231 cells were exposed to platelet releasates in the presence or absence of either an Akt inhibitor, GDC-0068 (50-100 μM), or the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK-1) inhibitor, BX-795 (10-50 μM), and IL-8 was measured by ELISA 24 hours later. (C) Experiment B was repeated with MCF-7 cells. n = 1 single experiment in panel A and 3 to 5 independent replicates per treatment group in panels B-C. P values were obtained through separate 1-way ANOVA, with post hoc Tukey’s multiple comparisons testing.