In addition, combination of MCM7low and cyclin D1low expression was significantly associated with less aggressive characteristics, such as age ⩽55 years, AFP <200 ng/ml, Edmonson I–II, TNM stage I–II, BCLC stage A–B and negative venous invasion, suggesting that MCM7low and cyclin D1low expression can serve as novel biomarkers for HCC in relatively early-stage disease (Figure 6e). This evidence concerns the gene AFP and hepatocellular carcinoma.