Jiang X, Song T, Pan X, et al. - Protein Z, a vitamin K-dependent plasma glycoprotein (PROZ), has a significant link with prognosis of early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

• A bioinformatic analysis was performed using The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset.

• Of 615 differentially expressed genes and 8956 genes in the turquoise module, 508 integrated genes were selected.

• A protein–protein interaction network was built.

• Top 20 hub genes were unveiled including apolipoprotein A-IV, fibrinogen gamma chain, PROZ, secreted phosphoprotein 24 and fetuin-B.

• Reduced expression of PROZ was found in early HCC vs normal liver controls.

• Low PROZ expression might cause poor overall survival of early HCC.