Pingyangmycin (PYM), a glycopeptide antibiotic, has been recommended as a stand treatment for hemangioma. However, the underlying mechanisms of its anti‑tumor effects have remained elusive. The purpose of the present study was to explore the effects of PYM on the biological behavior of the EOMA mouse hemangioendothelioma cell line and investigate the possible mechanisms. The effects of PYM on EOMA cell viability were determined by an MTT assay, apoptosis was evaluated by Annexin V/propidium iodide staining and flow cytometric analysis, and cell invasion ability was determined using a Transwell invasion assay. In order to investigate the underlying mechanism of action of PYM, the expression of angiogenic signaling proteins was determined by western blot analysis. PYM treatment (0.5‑500 µg/ml) inhibited cell growth in a time- and dose‑dependent manner. PYM at 100 µg/ml significantly induced apoptosis and reduced the invasive ability of EOMA cells. Effects of PYM on cell viability, apoptosis and invasion ability were completely blocked by co‑treatment with phosphoinositide 3‑kinase (PI3K) activator insulin‑like growth factor‑1 (IGF‑1). Furthermore, treatment with PYM reduced the expression of PI3K and phosphorylated Akt. In conclusion, the present study indicated that the PI3K/Akt pathway is likely to be involved in the anti-cancer effects of PYM on EOMA cells.