Together with Fig. 1 c, HBP1 protein level in HBs Ag+ hepatoma patients was lower than that in HBs Ag− hepatoma patients, indicating that the inhibition of AFP by HBP1 might reduce in HBs Ag+ hepatoma patients because of low HBP1, thereby promoting hepatoma progression. This evidence concerns the gene HBP1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.