Abstract: The present application provides a method for screening compounds for cancer treatment comprising treating cancer cells with a candidate compound for sufficient time for detectable expression of a gene selected from GADD45 family; and detecting the level of expression of the gene as compared to the level of expression in the absence of the candidate compound; wherein an increased level of expression in the presence of the candidate compound as compared to expression in the absence of the candidate compound indicates that the candidate compound acts as an inhibitor of the cancer cells. In some embodiments, the method can be used for screening compounds for treatment of sorafenib-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma. The present application further provides a method for treating hepatocellular carcinoma comprising administering to a subject having hepatocellular carcinoma a therapeutic effective amount of an agonist of GADD45 family.