SCH772984 abolished the effect of knock-down of DRD3 on malignant biological behaviors including the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells (Fig. 5C, 5D, 5E and 5F), and the activation of the cAMP/ERK/CREB pathway changed correspondingly (Fig. 5B). This evidence concerns the gene CREB1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.