AKT1 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: The expression of circVRK1 and circLARP4 is significantly downregulated and circLPAR3 levels are increased in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).171–173 Low circVRK1 expression predicts poor overall survival in patients with ESCC.172 Elevated circLPAR3 levels are markedly associated with lymph node metastasis (LNM) and advanced TNM stage.171 In addition, researchers have also observed alterations in biological functions of the circRNA/PI3K/AKT axis by in vitro functional assays.