AFP and hepatocellular carcinoma: For example, imaging techniques such as US, CT and MRI, with a high resolution and was also recommended by guidelines.3, 4 However, for the nodules smaller than 2 cm in diameter in patients with liver cirrhosis, it was really difficult to distinguish.5 During the past decades, various biomarkers such as Alpha Fetal Protein (AFP), circulating miRNAs and lncRNAs have been proved as biomarker for HCC prediction.