CSMD3 and neoplasm: In 12 HCC tissues, CSMD3 is undetectable in five and weakly positive in four.40, 41 CSMD3 has been found to have a high mutation rate and a low expression level in lung cancer, ovarian cancer and several other cancers and thus possibly has a tumor suppressor function.42, 43, 44, 45, 46 CSMD3 somatic mutations have been reported in HBV-associated HCC with portal vein tumor thrombosis and intrahepatic metastasis.47 To date, the physiological function of CSMD3 has not been extensively studied and its role in hepatocarcinogenesis has not been fully investigated.