CDA analysis for the comparison between those who developed HCC vs. those who developed cirrhosis but not HCC yielded 11 markers that together were found to be significantly different between these groups, including: IGFBP3, SLAMF1, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), caspase-8 (CASP-8), T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform (CD6), three interleukin (IL-8, IL-13, IL-24), monocyte chemotactic protein 3 (MCP-3), stem cell factor (SCF), and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). This evidence concerns the gene CASP8 and hepatocellular carcinoma.