AKR1B10 and hepatocellular carcinoma: In addition, because a strong association has been reported between smoking and AKR1B10 expression in malignant and non-malignant lung airway epithelium [15–17] and several studies have identified smoking as a risk factor for HCC development [18,19], we further evaluated the correlation of AKR1B10 expression with NT-associated factors, including patients’ smoking history.