Potential target genes that were simultaneously lower expressed in HCC tissues and downregulation in sorafenib resistant cells were selected for further study, leading to the identification of ANGPTL3, protein AMBP (AMBP), microsomal triglyceride transfer protein large subunit (MTTP), reelin (RELN) and anion exchange protein 3 (SLC4A3) (Fig. 1A). This evidence concerns the gene RELN and hepatocellular carcinoma.