Our previous studies have suggested that miRNAs are critical drivers or suppressors for the development and progression of HCC.6, 10, 12, 25, 33 For example, miR‐194‐5p functions as a tumour suppressor through inhibiting the tumour growth of HCC by targeting forkhead box A1.6 Down‐regulation of miR‐1296 contributes to migration, invasion and EMT of HCC cells by activating SRSF protein kinase 1‐mediated PI3K/AKT pathway.12 In this study, miR‐301b‐3p knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, led to G2/M arrest and induced apoptosis of HCC cells. This evidence concerns the gene AKT1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.