In a liver cancer nude mouse model, 3-HAA was found to increase apoptosis of HCC in cultured cells and mouse xenografts by upregulating phosphatases PPP1R15A/DUSP6 and reducing AKT phosphorylation, as well as increasing sensitivity to the first-line targeted drug sorafenib in HCC patients [83]. The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.