A multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that higher TNM staging (hazard ratio [HR] (95% confidence interval [CI]): 2.047 (1.342–3.124); P = 0.001), tumor grading (HR (95% CI): 1.808 (1.191–2.744); P = 0.005) and CCT7 mRNA expression (HR (95% CI): 2.031 (1.327–3.110); P = 0.001) were independent risk factors for poorer OS in HCC patients (Table 2). Here, CCT7 is linked to neoplasm.