UTP23 is a nucleolar small subunit processome component essential for ribosome biogenesis and pre-18S rRNA maturation 1. As a core assembly factor, UTP23 coordinates with snoRNPs and ribosomal proteins to facilitate early pre-ribosomal processing events, particularly in central domain formation of the 40S subunit 1. UTP23 functions in rRNA processing and ribosome synthesis through its involvement in the 90S pre-ribosome complex alongside assembly factors like Krr1 and Kri1 1. In cancer pathology, UTP23 represents a significant therapeutic target in pan-cancer ribosome biogenesis programs 2. Elevated UTP23 expression correlates with poor prognosis across multiple cancer types, particularly in luminal A breast cancer and early-stage colorectal cancer 345. In breast cancer, UTP23 promotes cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, possibly through DCAF13 regulation 3. Conversely, in ovarian cancer, UTP23 downregulation associates with paclitaxel chemotherapy resistance via GDF15 upregulation, suggesting UTP23 loss confers drug resistance 6. Notably, cytoplasmic UTP23 localization (rather than nucleolar) drives colorectal cancer metastasis through KRT5 interactions 5. Additionally, UTP23 downregulation impacts pancreatic β-cell survival 7, and coding variants in UTP23 associate with colorectal cancer genetic risk 8.