In the Cox proportional analyses, high Axl expression and high LC3 expression were significantly associated with HCC recurrence (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.95‐5.02, P < 0.001; and HR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.26‐0.55, P < 0.001, respectively). The gene discussed is MAP1LC3A; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.