Considering the lack of accepted biomarkers in HCC and realizing the necessity of placebo-controlled studies, we analyzed the prognostic and predictive values of tumor (MET) and circulating (MET, HGF, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)) biomarkers in the ARQ 197-215 study. This evidence concerns the gene AFP and hepatocellular carcinoma.