AFP and hepatocellular carcinoma: First, high LGALS3BP serum levels in HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) -infected cirrhotic patients (one of the major cause of HCC) and in HCC patients compared to the control group were observed [43, 44]; then, they retrospectively investigated the prognostic significance of serum LGALS3BP values in 40 HCC cases at first diagnosis, and on the basis of these results they assumed that serum LGALS3BP and AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) levels could be very useful not only for the diagnosis of HCC but also for its prognostic evaluation.