To extend our observation that the expression of TIPRL is associated with levels of LC3 and CD133 in HCC tissues (Fig. 3c–e), we analyzed the statistical relationship between their levels in the following liver cancer tissues according to cancer grade: hepatocellular carcinoma, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, carcinoid and mixed carcinoma, comprised of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma (Supplementary Table 2). The gene discussed is TIPRL; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.