Our assumption that TGFB function is impaired in the non-responder tumor is not only based on its phenotype but also on the fact that this tumor carries a nonsynonymous C to A mutation in the TGFBR3 gene (also known as betaglycan) on chromosome 1 at position 91 716 677 (P-value=0.000980), which, to our knowledge, has not been previously described in HCCs. This evidence concerns the gene TGFB1 and neoplasm.