SLC44A1 and hepatocellular carcinoma: SLC44A1 is implicated in multiple cancers by regulating tumor cell proliferation, membrane biosynthesis, and potentially survival under metabolic stress through its central role in choline uptake and lipid metabolism (51), while HFE, which regulates iron metabolism, has been associated with hepatocellular carcinoma via mechanisms involving iron overload, DNA damage, and immune evasion (52).