LGALS3 and neoplasm: In both selected sets, mitotic index has been demonstrated as a vital prognostic biomarker of tumour progression and metastasis (Supplementary Fig. 1) according to the previously reported method.23 To determine the expression level of Galectin-3 and its clinical significance in HCC, we analysed HCC tissues and paired adjacent normal tissues using qPCR and IHC staining.