DLAT and hepatocellular carcinoma: Elevated expression of MELK in tumors enhances the activity of the PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway, which subsequently boosts the expression of DLAT and stabilizes mitochondrial functions.314 The increase in DLAT (not the oligomer, possibly lipoic acid-modified DLAT) helps improve mitochondrial respiration, eliminates excessive intracellular ROS, and also promotes resistance to ES-induced cuproptosis, thus contributing to the tumorigenesis and progression of HCC.