We then subjected AKR1B10, CTSA, and AFP to validation by ELISAs in serum of another independent HCC cohort (designated as serum validation cohort 2; Table 1), which consists of 8 HCCs, 16 LCs, and 16 NCs (Fig. 5a–c). The gene discussed is AKR1B10; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.