VEGFA and hepatocellular carcinoma: Apatinib is a small‐molecular VEGFR TKI that highly binds and inhibits VEGFR‐2.16 By blocking VEGF axis, apatinib effectively inhibits the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of HUVEC.16 A phase II clinical trial of apatinib in advanced HCC presented the effectiveness and safety of apatinib monotherapy in advanced HCC.22 The present study was performed to explore the antitumor activity of apatinib in HCC both in vitro and in vivo, aiming to provide evidence support of apatinib in the treatment of HCC in clinical practice.