In addition, Okanoue et al. reported that the combination of ALT and platelet counts is useful for evaluating the fibrosis stage in HCV carriers with normal serum ALT levels, and that most patients with platelet counts < 150000/μL are candidates for antiviral therapy, especially those with ALT levels ≥ 31 U/L when the focus is placed on the inhibition of HCC development [27]. This evidence concerns the gene GPT and hepatocellular carcinoma.