Furthermore, the PVT1-miR-16-5p/VEGFA/VEGFR1/AKT axis is directly associated with CRC pathogenesis: PVT1 up-regulation induces the down-regulation of miR-16-5p, thereby reducing the binding of this miRNA to the mRNA VEGFA and up-regulating VEGFA, affecting VEGFR1 and AKT signaling [45]. Here, AKT1 is linked to colorectal carcinoma.