NOTCH1 activates AKT through repressing PTEN expression in multiple malignancies including NSCLC.27–29 Importantly, knocking-down of LCETRL3 increased PTEN expression and, thus, reduced levels of phosphorylated AKT (T450 and S473) in cells; whereas ectopic LCETRL3 obviously inhibited PTEN expression and enhanced AKT phosphorylation in NSCLC cells (Fig. 4j and k). Here, PTEN is linked to non-small cell lung carcinoma.