Mechanistically, MALAT1 inhibited von Hippel–Lindau tumor suppressor (VHL) by activating EZH2/STAT3/Akt axis, then promoted the stabilization and activation of β-catenin and NF-κB which could play crucial roles in HNSCC growth and metastasis. This evidence concerns the gene AKT1 and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.