This idea was subsequently confirmed by the following experimental data: SCAP expression was correlated positively with sorafenib sensitivity in five HCC cell lines, sterol-resistant SCAP overexpression reduced HCC cell sensitivity to sorafenib, and reduction of the expression (by siRNA or lycorine) and the biological activity (by DES) of SCAP protein restored PLC-SR cell sensitivity to sorafenib. This evidence concerns the gene HSPG2 and hepatocellular carcinoma.