The mRNA expression of PLCE1and AFP (Affymetrix Probe Set IDs: 205112_at and 204694_at, respectively) differed between HCC and adjacent normal tissues in these patients (P < 0.001; Figure 4A), and the latter also differed in tumor tissues of the various serum AFP subgroups (P < 0.001; Figure 4B). Here, AFP is linked to neoplasm.