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World J Gastrointest Oncol. Jun 15, 2026; 18(6): 117434
Published online Jun 15, 2026. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v18.i6.117434
Published online Jun 15, 2026. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v18.i6.117434
From association to intervention: Rethinking CD24’s causal role in hepatocellular carcinogenesis
Li-Na Ren, Cheng-Qiang Jin, Xiang-Hui Zhang, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining 272029, Shandong Province, China
Cong Liu, College of Medical Imaging and Laboratory, Jining Medical University, Jining 272067, Shandong Province, China
Co-first authors: Li-Na Ren and Cong Liu.
Co-corresponding authors: Cheng-Qiang Jin and Xiang-Hui Zhang.
Author contributions: Ren LN designed the article, analyzed the data, and drafted the manuscript; Jin CQ and Zhang XH provided joint supervision and analyzed clinical data. they contributed equally to this article, they are the co-corresponding authors of this manuscript; All authors have read and approved the final manuscript. Jin CQ and Zhang XH contributed equally to this article and are the co-corresponding authors of this manuscript. Ren LN and Liu C contributed equally to this article and are the co-first authors of this manuscript.
AI contribution statement: We used an AI-based tool (Kimi) solely for language editing to improve the clarity and readability of the English. The manuscript was written entirely by the authors. No part of the academic content or scholarly interpretation was generated by AI. All figures and graphical elements were created by the authors without the use of AI-generated tools. The conceptual framework, argumentation, and conclusions are entirely the result of the authors’ own scholarly work.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Corresponding author: Cheng-Qiang Jin, Director, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, No. 89 Guhuai Road, Jining 272029, Shandong Province, China. jincq2008@163.com
Received: December 8, 2025
Revised: February 12, 2026
Accepted: April 1, 2026
Published online: June 15, 2026
Processing time: 184 Days and 18.7 Hours
Revised: February 12, 2026
Accepted: April 1, 2026
Published online: June 15, 2026
Processing time: 184 Days and 18.7 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: While cluster of differentiation 24 (CD24) is dynamically upregulated during hepatocarcinogenesis and improves the detection of alpha-fetoprotein-negative hepatocellular carcinoma, it currently lacks functional validation, resolution of specific subsets, and a clear mechanistic linkage to programmed death-ligand 1. Functional genetics, single-cell, multi-omics, and spatial analyses are needed to confirm CD24’s causality and therapeutic potential.