Apart from WNT/β-catenin axis, KIFC1 was also proved to be associated with the regulation of Akt signaling transduction, in which KIFC1 increased expression of gankyrin, resulting in elevated p-Akt and downstream transcriptional factor Twist1, thereby enhancing the invasion ability of HCC cells by actuating the EMT. This evidence concerns the gene TWIST1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.