<h4>Objectives</h4>This study investigated the inhibitory effect of apatinib on lung cancer cells with high expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-2 (VEGFR-2) and on inducing cellular autophagy and drug resistance.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>The expression of VEGFR-2 was detected using western blotting and RT-PCR. The gene discussed is KDR; the disease is lung cancer.