Spearman’ rank analysis (data not showed) showed that M/GLR was associated with AST (P < 0.001), AFP (P < 0.001), ascites (P < 0.001), tumor number (P = 0.003), diameter lesion (P < 0.001), vascular invasion (P < 0.001) and TNM stage (P < 0.001). Here, AFP is linked to neoplasm.