IGFBP3 and hepatocellular carcinoma: The role of circulating immunologic proteins have been investigated in prospective cohort studies in the context of HCC development, demonstrating the potential utility of markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP)10,11, interleukin-6 (IL-6)11,12, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3)13,14, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1)15 in predicting carcinogenesis.