ENSG00000259104.2 (PTCSC3), which is downregulated in the tumor samples (log2 fold change −1.40; adj. p-value 1.11E-12) was previously reported as having thyroid-specific expression and decreased expression in PTC38, 39. Interestingly, the risk allele [T] associated with SNP rs944289, located at PTCSC3’s promoter, affects the binding site of C/EBPα and C/EBPβ (PTCSC3 activators), reducing its expression. Restoration of PTCSC3 expression in PTC cells inhibited cell growth and affected the expression of genes involved in DNA replication/repair, cellular movement and cell death38. Also PTCSC3 ectopic expression reduces cell proliferation and increases cell cycle arrest and apoptosis39, while reducing cell motility and invasiveness through S100A4 downregulation42 (Fig. 5B).