With a series of molecular, cellular and biochemical experiments, we propose a working model (Fig. 7H) that circVAPA promotes SCLC progression in vitro and in vivo by modulating the miR-377-3p and miR-494-3p/IGF1R/AKT axis, expanding the knowledge about circRNAs in SCLC. The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is small cell lung carcinoma.