Collectively, the extent of disturbed expression of constitutive Nrf1 mRNA and Nrf1α protein (and/or its derivates of between 140-kDa and 100-kDa) is postulated to be relevant to the pathological severity of HCC with distinct differentiation and metastatic potentials, together with additional concomitant lesions (e.g. inflammation, necrosis, fibrosis and cirrhosis). The gene discussed is NRF1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.