If the correlation between DcR3 expression and PI3K/AKT signaling activities proves to be stable in patients, the evaluation of DcR3 levels in urine or blood samples of patients could allow a selection of patients for treatment with PI3K/AKT-targeting therapeutics such as NVP-BEZ235 or SF1126 which are already in clinical trials for RCC and other solid tumor entities (NCT01453595; NCT00907205). The gene discussed is TNFRSF6B; the disease is renal cell carcinoma.