The Hedgehog (Hh) and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways play a pivotal role in driving the initiation and progression of various cancers, including hematologic malignancies such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is acute lymphoblastic leukemia.