To evaluate the utility of the identified proteins CPN, CP, C4a, FGA, IgM and PON1 as candidate biomarkers for HCC development in HCV-infected alcoholic patients, 46 plasma samples (24 from the control group and 22 from the tumor group) were subsequently analyzed by ELISA (Fig. 3A). This evidence concerns the gene CPN1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.