As an oncogenic circRNA in HCC, circMDK promotes the progression of HCC via the miR-346/874-3p-ATG16L1 axis, resulting in activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, while PAEs-mediated nanoparticles delivery of circMDK siRNA inhibits HCC proliferation and metastasis in vivo[99]. This evidence concerns the gene AKT1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.