Forced expression of miR-216b in RInk-1 cells inhibits cell proliferation and colony formation, which is correlated with reduced expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor and matrix metalloproteinase-14 (MT1-MMP) in pancreatic cancer.19 Furthermore, miR-216b is dysregulated in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,20 and in colorectal cancer cells.21 Interestingly, miR-216b is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.22 Despite these findings, the role of miR-216b in HCC has not been reported previously. Here, MMP14 is linked to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.