In addition, in the 45 AFP-negative HCC patients, their AUC for DKK1 and TEMs for HCC diagnosis from the other three control groups was 0.709 (95% CI 0.624–0.795, Fig 3A, Table 3, P<0.01) and 0.739 (95% CI 0.648–0.829, Fig 3A, Table 3, P<0.01) respectively. This evidence concerns the gene AFP and hepatocellular carcinoma.