Notably, silencing circRNA-SORE markedly decreased the protein levels of YBX1 and its downstream target genes AKT, Raf1, ERK, c-Myc, and TGF-β1 in the three sorafenib-resistant cell lines (Fig. 3p), and the effect of silencing circRNA-SORE on HCC sensitivity to sorafenib could be, to a large extent, rescued by overexpressing YBX1 (Fig. 3q). The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.