Notably, the top-ranked genes in this list (Fig. 3B) are either previously reported as prognostic biomarkers (PSMD9 and APH1A) for other cancer indication (cervical cancer and HCC) [36, 37], or are known a vesicular trafficking modulator (TRAPPC4) that regulates the intracellular trafficking of PD-L1 and antitumor immunity [38]. This evidence concerns the gene APH1A and hepatocellular carcinoma.