Cox-regression analysis revealed that the independent factor most strongly associated with HCC in the treatment cohort was advanced liver disease (hazard ratio [HR]/ 95 % confidence intervals [CI]: 3.22/1.959–5.298, P < 0.001), followed by non-SVR (HR/CI: 2.23/1.462–3.394, P < 0.001), old age (HR/CI: 1.04/1.013–1.061, P = 0.002), low platelet count (HR/CI: 0.993/0.989–0.998, P = 0.006), and high r-GT (HR/CI: 1.004/1.002–1.007, P = 0.001) and AFP levels (HR/CI: 1.002/1.001–1.004, P = 0.002) (Table 1). The gene discussed is AFP; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.