Consistent with several previous reports [31-33], the levels of p15 and p21 exhibited a strong negative correlation (r = -0.586, p < 0.0001 and r =-0.473, p < 0.0001, respectively) with the clinical progression of HCC, while the expressions of c-MYC showed a less significant and positive correlation (r = 0.309, p = 0.003) (Supplementary Figure 1A-1F). Here, MYC is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.