A previous study [46] assessed ALDH1L1 expression in HCC tissues using real–time quantitative RT–PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry staining, and further findings showed that low expression of ALDH1L1 in HCC was significantly associated with pathology grade, hepatitis B surface antigen status, and serum AFP. The gene discussed is AFP; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.