ALB and hepatocellular carcinoma: Although the causal relationships between pre-S2 mutant and cirrhosis and cirrhosis and low serum albumin level suggest that the low serum albumin level may be a result of reduced synthesis by hepatocytes in the cirrhotic liver of HCC patients with pre-S2 mutant, the elucidation of underlying molecular mechanisms would provide further insight into the development of preventive interventions for HCC recurrence in pre-S2 mutant-positive HCC patients after curative surgical resection.