Abbreviations: circRNAs: circular RNA; HCC: hepatocellular carcinoma; RTN4: reticulon 4; ceRNA: competing endogenous RNA; GEO: Gene Expression Omnibus; miRNA: microRNA; CSCD: Cancer-specific circRNA database; CRI: Circular RNA Interactome; TCGA: The Cancer Genome Atlas; qRT‐PCR: quantitative real‐time PCR; NEK9:NIMA-related kinase nine; CSMD1: CUB and Sushi multiple domains 1; Tob1: transducer of ERBB2, 1; miR: microRNA; sh: short hairpin; WT: wild type; MUT: mutant. The gene discussed is TOB1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.