Interestingly, a high expression of DCK was associated with poorer prognosis in HCC patients (overall survival (OS): HR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.32–2.72, p = 0.00043, n = 364; relapse-free survival (RFS): HR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.10–2.13, p = 0.011, n = 316; progression-free survival (PFS): HR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.27–2.28, p = 0.00034, n = 370; disease-specific survival (DSS): HR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.27–3.21, p = 0.0026, n = 362; Fig. 2a–d). Here, DCK is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.