We have previously demonstrated that serum CRP was associated with more aggressive tumor characteristics in non-surgical HCC patients and a prognostic factor in patients both with and without clinically overt infection.[20] Elevated CRP levels also indicate a higher risk of complications and mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis (without HCC).[30] Given that HCC usually develops in patients with cirrhosis[2,31], elevated CRP may reflect both more aggressive tumor behaviour as well as an increased risk of death from complications of liver cirrhosis.[2,20,30]. The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is neoplasm.