This may reflect a positive prognostic effect, as both HBV- and HCV-associated HCC have been independently associated with longer survival compared with HCC of other aetiologies in recent analyses.33,34 Interestingly, we also noted a trend for greater 12-week PFS in patients with AFP elevation at baseline ≥200 μg/L (versus <200 μg/L). Here, AFP is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.