We base this conclusion on the following data: (1) gefitinib inhibits HCC cell growth; (2) Ln-5 antagonises gefitinib growth inhibition in a dose-dependent manner; (3) gefitinib induces persistent dephosphorylation of Akt, while with Ln-5 the p-Akt form recovers; (4) gefitinib-induced late apoptosis is reversed by Ln-5. Here, AKT1 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.