Figure 8. Graphical abstract of how circRNA Cdr1as promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression. A schematic model of circRNA Cdr1as/miR-1270/AFP signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma. circRNA Cdr1as competitively binds to miR-1270, resulting in upregulation of AFP. Furthermore, upregulation of AFP stimulates the migration and proliferation of HCC cell lines. Meanwhile, exosome-transmitted circRNA Cdr1as can stimulate malignant behaviors of surrounding normal cells and finally contributes to the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.