As illustrated, blockade of AKT signalling partially reversed VEGF-induced upregulation of HK2 activity, and the expression of ATOH8, HK2, and BCL2/BAX, but restored the reduced ROS production caused by VEGF in CRC cells (Fig. 5h, Additional file 3: Figure S8f-g). This evidence concerns the gene BCL2 and colorectal carcinoma.