For the PLC/PRF/5 xenograft HCC which possessed relatively lower expression level of VEGFR‐2, the antitumor effects of apatinib could be attributed to blockade of cell cycle progression, reduction in neovascularization, and inhibition of VEGFR‐2/Akt/ERK pathway activation. This evidence concerns the gene AKT1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.