CTD inhibits ephrin type-B receptor 4 (EPHB4), blocking Janus kinase (JAK)2/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathways, and thereby promoting apoptosis of HCC cells through endogenous pathways. Here, AKT1 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.