Based on our results, the inhibitory effects of apatinib on HCC growth were involved in many aspects: inducing cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase via blockade of cyclin B1/cdc2 complex and upregulation of p21 and p27; inducing cell apoptosis via activation of caspase‐3 and PARP cleavage; and inhibiting VEGF‐induced Akt and ERK phosphorylation. The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.