In a large cohort of HCC patients and in HCC cell lines (Hep3B, HepG2, Huh7, PLC/PRF/5, SK-Hep1, SNU182, SNU-368, SNU-449 and SNU-475), H2A.Z.1 was significantly up-regulated, and this correlated with poor prognosis. The gene discussed is H2AZ1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.