Based on a multivariate analysis, where all parameters with p values < 0.02 were entered in a single model, we derived that tumor expression of PD-L1, Gal-9, CD8+TIL count, AFP level and number of lesions were independent predictors of HCC-specific survival in the EMC cohort (Table 2). Here, LGALS9 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.