BARD1 and hepatocellular carcinoma: As shown in Table 1, BARD1 mRNA expression level in HCC tissues was significantly associated with TNM stage (P < 0.001), BCLC stage (P = 0.006), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) status (P = 0.005), size of tumor (P = 0.004), serum AFP levels (P = 0.008), and serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels (P = 0.003).