• cMALAT1 is highly expressed in ICC cells co-incubated with activated hepatic stellate cells and promotes ICC proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo.
• cMALAT1 acts as a sponge for miR-512-5p, and miR-512-5p mimics reverse cMALAT1-induced malignant phenotypes.
• VCAM1 is a downstream target of the cMALAT1/miR-512-5p axis, and silencing VCAM1 suppresses ICC malignancy and impairs cMALAT1 function.
• The cMALAT1/miR-512-5p/VCAM1 axis activates the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, providing a potential therapeutic target for ICC.