Using annexin A2 expression as a biomarker can improve the sensitivity and specificity of the de-facto 3-marker IHC panel of HSP7 (heat shock protein 70), GS (glutamine synthase), GPC-3 (glypican-3) used to differentiate early stage well differentiated HCC from normal liver mitogenesis. This evidence concerns the gene GLUL and hepatocellular carcinoma.