The AFP and PIVKA-II levels were significantly different between the patients with early HCC (BCLC = 0, A) and those with advanced tumor (p < 0.050), while among patients without HCC, the AFP, GPC3 and IL-6 serum levels were significantly different between the patients with advanced fibrosis and those with cirrhosis (p < 0.050) (Table S1 and Figure S1). Here, AFP is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.