MET and hepatocellular carcinoma: In particular, it has been demonstrated that Des-γ-carboxyprothrombin (PIVKA-II), besides being a prognostic marker of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), can bind to a receptor for hepatocyte growth factor named Met, and has a role as an autologous growth factor for HCC via activating the well known Jak/STAT signalling pathway [38-40].