Review for 10.1186/s12876-022-02252-7 (2022)

Reviewer’s report
Title: 
A Novel ceRNA-Immunoregulatory Axis Based on Immune Cell
Infiltration in Ulcerative Colitis-Associated Colorectal Carcinoma by Integrated
Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis
Version: 
0 
Date: 
28 Jan 2022
Reviewer's report:
Yin et al. used computer based analysis to show several ceRNAs played key role
in the pathogenesis of CAC via regulating immune responses through altering
the neutrophils functions. And the authors predicted some small-molecule drugs
might have potential therapeutic values in the treatment of CAC. This
manuscript is fine in general, but there are few issues needed to be addressed
before considering for publication.
1)The authors need to give more information about the concept of competing
endogenous RNA (ceRNA) since this is the main thing in this manuscript.
2)Drug prediction part is little bit of far off. The authors even haven't shown
evidence to support their in silicon work. I doubt the real value of drug
predictions based on them.
3)The authors claimed that neutrophil is the key regulator in the development of
CAC. This is to the contrary of what general understanding of immune responses
related to CAC, which through tissue residence DCs and macrophages played
the key role. The authors need to explain their findings compare to current
understandings.
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Is the study design appropriate to answer the research question (including the use
of appropriate controls), and are the conclusions supported by the evidence
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