miR-224 was able to bind to PHLPP1 and PHLPP2 3′-UTR and suppressed their expression and may subsequently induced activity of the AKT signaling, while the levels of PHLPP1 and PHLPP2 proteins were associated with miR-224 expression in ESCC tissues. The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.