AKT1 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Contrary to the aforementioned investigations, circLPAR3 functions as a tumor oncogene and enhances the malignant phenotype of ESCC tumors.171 Mechanistically, circLPAR3 increases the expression of the MET gene to enhance the RAS/MAPK and PI3K/Akt pathways by sponging miR-198 in ESCC.