Factors found to influence prognosis included neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), tumour size/stage, extra-hepatic spread (EHD), Child-Pugh score, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), compensated cirrhosis, ascites, macroscopic vascular invasion (MVI), performance status (PS), albumin and bilirubin levels.9,11–16 Variables that predict greater sorafenib benefit compared to placebo included lower neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, absence of extra-hepatic spread (EHS) and being hepatitis C positive (HCV).8,16–20. This evidence concerns the gene AFP and Ascites.