Additionally, PDK1-driven IR-resistance positively correlated with activated PI3K signaling, enhanced HCC cell motility and invasiveness, augmented EMT, upregulated stemness markers ALDH1A1, PROM1, SOX2, KLF4 and POU5F1, increased tumorsphere-formation efficiency and suppressed biomarkers of DNA damage—RAD50, MSH3, MLH3 and ERCC2. The gene discussed is POU5F1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.