Given the above findings, we tested whether apoptosis could be induced in HCC cells by inhibiting Wee1 kinase using a specific Wee1 kinase inhibitor, PD166285 [17], [18], or siRNA against Wee1 kinase in the absence of TGF-β1 stimulation. The gene discussed is TGFB1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.