The frequency of MAGE-1 or MAGE-3 transcript positive cases detected in PBMC of patients with HCC at different stages was: null (0 out of 4) at stage I, though 3 out of 4 of resected HCC tissue samples were positive for at least one of the two MAGE transcripts, 56.6% (5 out of 9) at stage II, 77.8% (7 out of 9) at stage III, and 87.5% (7 out of 8) at IVa. This evidence concerns the gene MAGEA3 and hepatocellular carcinoma.