Review for 10.1186/s12876-020-01456-z (2020)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: ZBTB7A functioned as an oncogene in colorectal cancer  
 
Version: 0 Date: 02 Sep 2020  
 
Reviewer: Phillipe Abreu  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
This is an interesting potential new tumor bio marker. The paper is well written, English is clear, 
bio molecular methodology is clear and makes sense. This could be a sole publication of the 
technique if not yet done.  
 
Nevertheless, the statistical analy sis doesn't make any oncological sense. The methodology is 
completely biased, since is it IMPOSSIBLE to compare anything as biomarkers when comparing 
tumors at different clinical stage, with different TNM assessments, it's just really useless 
information.  
 
I would consider for publication either if:  
- exclude the clinico -pathological nonsense part of the paper (it's comparing oranges to onions)  
- Redo the analysis considering subgroups with sane clínico -pathological characteristics. 
Propensity score match ing would be an option, although very unlikely with few (189) patients. 
Expand the analysis would be the best, since RT PCR is quite inexpensive to be done.  
 
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Is the st udy design appropriate to answer the research question (i ncluding the use of appropriate 
controls), and are the conclusions supported by the evidence presented?  
 
No 
 
Are the methods sufficiently described to allow the study to be repeated?  
 
Yes 
 
Is the use of statistics and treatment of uncertainties appropriate?  
 
Yes 
 
Is the presentation of the work clear?  
 
Yes 
 
Are the images in this manuscript (including electrophoretic gel s and blots) free from apparent 
manipulation?  
 
Yes