Coiled-coil domain-containing protein 51 as an independent prognostic marker in hepatocellular carcinoma: Implications for tumor progression and immune infiltration

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Although the coiled-coil domain-containing protein 51 (CCDC51) has been implicated in retinal pathologies, its function in HCC remains poorly defined. Here, we report that reduced CCDC51 expression is associated with favorable clinical outcomes in HCC patients. Bioinformatic analyses revealed significant correlations between CCDC51 levels and multiple tumor characteristics, including immune cell infiltration, the tumor microenvironment, and microsatellite instability status. Notably, multivariate Cox regression and nomogram analyses established CCDC51 as an independent prognostic biomarker for HCC. Pathway enrichment studies further linked elevated CCDC51 expression to dysregulation of RNA transport and Wnt signaling. Functionally, genetic silencing of CCDC51 in HCC cell lines resulted in significant suppression of proliferation, migration, and invasion. Collectively, these findings identify CCDC51 as a novel prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target in HCC.