To address this and extend our findings, future functional studies will include conducting gene knockout (e.g., via CRISPR-Cas9) and overexpression experiments in HCC cell lines, performing mechanistic assays (such as LDH release and caspase-1 activation) to assess impact on pyroptosis induction, and investigating effects on immune cell recruitment and function using T-cell co-culture systems. The gene discussed is CASP1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.