We showed that 9 stress-associated proteins (HSP90AA1, HSP90AB1 GRP78 HSPA1A GRP75 HSPA8 HSPD1, HSPE1 and HSPB1) were up-regulated in HBV(+)/AFB1(+), HBV(+)/AFB1(-) and HBV(-)/AFB1(+) groups, suggesting these proteins not only play a role in HBV-related HCC but also in AFB1-related HCC. The gene discussed is HSPA8; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.