For HBsAg+-HCC detection, our model provided sensitivity of 59.6–79.1% and specificity of 85.2–95.5%, while AFP (cutoff 400 ng/mL) provided sensitivity of 31.4–34.7% and specificity of 96.7–100% (Additional file 7: Table S3). The gene discussed is AFP; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.