Because it is difficult to detect HCC in patients with low AFP level, and A-SAA biomarkers, especially PMCA signal, had better HCC predictability in cirrhotic patients, we only included the patients with both cirrhosis and low AFP (< 7 ng/mL, optimal cut-off decided by AUROC) in this subgroup analysis. This evidence concerns the gene SAA2 and hepatocellular carcinoma.