AKT1 and colorectal carcinoma: mTOR/AKT signaling is essential in the progression of CRC, and mTOR inhibition leads to a reduction of CRC cell growth.8,9,20 Cai et al. identified mTOR high expression to be an independent risk factor for the prognosis of CRC patients.21 An activation of mTOR signaling has been detected in colon TICs.22,23 In concordance with these reports, the present study detected an increased expression of components of the AKT/mTOR signaling in colon TICs.