We previously reported that measurement of serum hTERTmRNA by real-time RT-PCR method was sensitive in detection of tumor-derived hTERTmRNA even in the HCC patients whose AFP levels were low [9], and was also useful even for other malignancies such as non-small cell lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and gastric cancer [22-24]. The gene discussed is AFP; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.