Furthermore, the serum CA9 concentration of HCC patients correlated with systemic inflammatory response, namely CRP levels (r = 0.263, p<0.001) and markers of liver damage, namely GOT levels (r = 0.327, p<0.001) and GGT levels (r = 0.178, p = 0.009). This evidence concerns the gene CA9 and hepatocellular carcinoma.