We found a significantly lower concentration of total A-SAA in the LC group when compared to the intermediate (BCLC B, P = 0.0005) and the advanced HCC group (BCLC C-D, P < 0.0001), but not to the early HCC group (BCLC 0-A, P = 0.2569) (Fig. 5a). This evidence concerns the gene SAA1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.