VIM and hepatocellular carcinoma: During the malignant progression of HBx-related HCC, compared with those in the HBx group, the levels of HBx-induced Ki67 and Vimentin in xenograft tumor tissues were lower in the ASO-MALAT1 group (Fig. 6F-G), indicating that MALAT1 modulates HBx-driven tumor growth and metastatic potential through an m6A-dependent mechanism.