Recent research suggests that activation of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), ultimately resulting in tumor invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance.28 Studies have also confirmed that some specific inhibitors of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway (e.g., marine drugs) can reverse EMT and thus reduce drug resistance in tumor tissue during treatment.29,30 Similar to these previous results, we also noted activation of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in OTSCC. Here, AKT1 is linked to neoplasm.