Differential expression of seven of these genes (CFD, ALDH18A1, CHKA, DDIT3, ITGA6, PSPH and SQLE) was replicated in another set of 12 paired NASH-HCCs and adjacent non-tumor livers by RT-qPCR (all P < 0.05 by paired t test; Fig. 4b). This evidence concerns the gene DDIT3 and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.