AST, albumin, total bilirubin, platelet count, prothrombin time, hyaluronic acid, AFP, PIVKA-II, and Vs that were associated with HCC by univariate analyses were excluded because they were apparently the result of cirrhosis, which is a major risk factor for HCC, but not the causes of cirrhosis or development of HCC. The gene discussed is AFP; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.