A more severe reduction in basal OCR was observed in tumor-derived DCs exposed to AFP due to down-regulation of cytochrome C oxidase. The expression of PGC1-α in circulating medullary DC in HCC patients was decreased, and the ability to stimulate the function of antigen-specific effector was impaired, indicating the negative effect of AFP on DC metabolism. The gene discussed is PPARGC1A; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.