BECN1 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Beclin 1 mRNA levels were significantly lower in HCC tissues than in CH or CIRR (30.84 ± 17.1 vs 42.65 ± 20.6; P = 0.023 and 45.80 ± 18.4; P = 0.028, respectively), while there was no difference with PHCC tissues (Figure 1A).