KLF8-overexpressing HCC cells had higher levels of VEGFA, P-c-Raf(Ser259) (1.16 ± 0.15 vs 0.67 ± 0.14), P-GSK-3β(Ser9) (1.24 ± 0.15 vs 0.76 ± 0.08), P-PTEN(Ser380) (1.36 ± 0.37 vs 0.75 ± 0.26), P-PDK1(Ser241) (0.98 ± 0.29 vs 0.68 ± 0.16), P-AKT(Thr308) (0.86 ± 0.21 vs 0.25 ± 0.09), and P-AKT(Ser473) (0.99 ± 0.37 vs 0.39 ± 0.14) (P < 0.05, n = 3), but the protein expression levels of AKT(pan) were not different (1.23 ± 0.29 vs 1.14 ± 0.16, P > 0.05, n = 3) (Fig. 4). This evidence concerns the gene PDK1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.