More broadly our data also suggest that targeting PI3K-AKT pathway or proteasomal degradation in combination with DRB might be an alternative approach in Mcl-1 upregulation cancer types, including acute myeloid leukemia, hepatocellular carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, and other Mcl-1 associated with resistance of tumor cells49. Here, AKT1 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.