In the present study, LY294002 combined with paclitaxel markedly inhibited the expression of PI3K, p-Akt and HIF-1α in GC SGC-7901 cells compared with the single treatment of LY294002 or paclitaxel, and LY294002 or paclitaxel decreased the expression of PI3K and p-Akt in hypoxic conditions, suggesting that targeting PI3K/Akt signaling in tumor cells may inhibit HIF-1α expression and increase the therapeutic efficacy of paclitaxel. The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is gastric cancer.