ZEB1 and hepatocellular carcinoma: lncRNAs can act as endogenous molecular sponges to compete for microRNAs, thereby negatively regulating microRNA expression.40 For example, in CRC, Chen et al.41 reported that the lncRNA UICLM can function as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR‐215 to regulate the expression of ZEB1; Li et al.42 demonstrated lncRNA ZFAS1 functions as an oncogene in hepatocellular carcinoma progression by binding miR‐150 and abrogating its tumor‐suppressive function.