PI3K/Akt pathway-dependent EMT has been shown to contribute to cisplatin resistance in HCC cells38 and gefitinib resistance in head and neck SCC cells.39 Therefore, in this study, whether EMT and gefitinib resistance in NSCLC cells mediated by Cx26 itself is dependent on PI3K/Akt pathway was determined. The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is non-small cell lung carcinoma.