Expression of UBC in non-tumour tissues was negatively correlated with AST and total bilirubin levels (Spearman's rho= -0.39 and -0.31; P=0.017 and 0.065, respectively), but positively correlated with albumin levels (Spearman's rho= 0.36; P=0.03) (Figure 2, middle panel). This evidence concerns the gene UBC and neoplasm.