This effect on AR expression was observed at a greater extend in the treatment with DR17 (Figs 3 and 6I–6L), probably due to the complex cross-talk of AR and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway [27], suggesting that three-drug combination DR17 might provide a better targeting of AR and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in prostate cancer. This evidence concerns the gene AKT1 and prostate cancer.