CHI3L1 and neoplasm: More importantly, the study delineates a “vicious cycle” within the muscle–liver axis in chronic liver disease: the tumor microenvironment persistently releases inflammatory factors that exacerbate muscle atrophy and augment CHI3L1 secretion; in turn, elevated circulating CHI3L1 reprograms hepatic metabolism via lipid peroxidation, accelerating tumor invasion.