The pHCC cells also secreted alpha-fetoprotein (AFP; 40 to 50 ng/ml), a serum marker observed in 60-70% of human HCC, whereas pPH cell supernatants contained no measurable amount of AFP after 48 hours (detection limit 3.12 ng/ml), further demonstrating recapitulation of core cytological features of human HCC. The gene discussed is AFP; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.