Previous studies hypothesized that the PNI reflects the patient’s general status, including their immunonutritional status, liver function, and immune activity, rather than the malignant potential of the tumour25, and this was supported by the lack of significant differences between the low and high preoperative PNI groups with respect to various tumour factors, including the preoperative AFP and DCP levels and tumour diameter. This evidence concerns the gene AFP and neoplasm.