The nine factors were entered in a stepwise backward multivariable Cox regression analysis, which identified one viral factor, non-R70 (P = 0.04), and three host factors, white blood cell count (P = 0.01), AST/ALT ratio (P = 0.02) and alkaline phosphatase level (P < 0.001), as independently associated with higher HCC risk (Table 3). The gene discussed is GPT; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.