MAPKAPK5 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Given that previous research has confirmed that PLAGL2 functions as a transcriptional regulator of EGFR and promotes HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through the EGFR-AKT pathway [34], we have determined that MAPKAPK5-AS1 upregulates PLAGL2 level by sponging miR-154-5p.