Comparative analysis by RT-PCR revealed that primary tumor tissue from patients with HCV-associated HCC expressed lower levels of TACSTD2 mRNA compared to the hepatoma cell lines Huh7.5 and HepG2, whereas the surrounding nontumorous tissue, normal livers, and primary human hepatocytes expressed the highest levels (Fig 1F). Here, TACSTD2 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.