While the links of HOTAIR and miR‐34a‐5p to the EMT process have been reported,25, 26, 27 the functional roles of HOTAIR and miR‐34a‐5p, and their interactions with EMT signalling pathways in lung cancer, especially in mediating the synergistic effects of berberine and gefinitib remain largely unknown. The gene discussed is HOTAIR; the disease is lung cancer.