Role of zinc finger protein 71 in hepatocellular carcinoma: Methodological concerns, clinical relevance, and future directions

Abstract

A recent study by Qin et al emphasized the potential of zinc finger protein 71 (ZNF71) as a promising biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The authors offered valuable insights into the relationship between ZNF71 and various clinical and pathological stages of HCC. However, several limitations are required to be addressed to improve the findings. These limitations include concerns regarding patient selection, the generalizability of the results, and the necessity for functional validation to establish ZNF71's specific role in the progression of HCC. Furthermore, statistical issues related to multiple comparisons, confounding variables, and the inherent heterogeneity of high-throughput datasets warrant careful consideration. Future research should focus on multi-institutional cohorts, utilize in vivo models, and compare ZNF71 with established biomarkers to strengthen the clinical relevance of ZNF71.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats; Functional validation; Genomic data; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Prognostic value; Tumor progression; Zinc finger protein 71.