To identify the signal transduction pathway that is associated with the tumour-suppressive effect of ferrichrome, the changes of the p44/42 MAPK (ERK), protein kinase B (Akt), c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38MAPK and Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) signalling pathways were assessed. The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is neoplasm.