Mechanismly, ATOH8 was upregulated in CRC m-CTCs via the VEGF-VEGFR2-AKT signalling pathways triggered by LSS, consequently mediating m-CTC survival by primarily promoting HK2 transcriptional activity, which is of great significance for the effective prediction of tumour metastasis or the search for new CTC therapeutic targets. The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is neoplasm.