Median plasma AFP, PIVKA-II, OPN and DKK-1 levels were significantly higher in the HCC group than the LC group (AFP, 43.5 (IQR 7.1–839.6) vs. 5.0 (IQR 2.8–9.9) ng/mL; PIVKA-II, 10.7 (IQR 2.5–187.6) vs. 3.0 (IQR 1.2–5.6) ng/mL; OPN, 93.4 (IQR 66.5–197.7) vs. 72.5 (IQR 59.1–91.5) ng/mL; DKK-1, 497.1 (IQR 279.0–782.1) vs. 336.3 (IQR 232.5–446.0) pg/mL; all p-values <0.001, data not shown). Here, DKK1 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.