Analyzing predictive factors for advanced tumor stage at diagnosis of HCC (Table 3), we found a significant association between AJCC/UICC stage III-IV and the following variables: histological grade of HCC (poorly differentiated) (p = 0.01), presence of macrovascular invasion (p = 0.04), and increased expression of DDR1 compared to NTs (p = 0.01). This evidence concerns the gene DDR1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.