The results showed that TNM stage (HR: 3.068, 95% CI: 2.263–4.160, P < 0.001), AFP (HR: 1.710, 95% CI: 1.292–2.264, P < 0.001), ApoA-1 (HR: 0.588, 95% CI: 0.440–0.786, P < 0.001) and CRP (HR: 2.056, 95% CI: 1.491–2.834, P < 0.001) were identified as significantly independent predictors of OS in HCC patients (Table 2). This evidence concerns the gene AFP and hepatocellular carcinoma.