In low-risk patients, the effect of albumin < 3.4 g/dL on HCC progression was most prominent approaching 20 months (620 days) after the first LDT cycle with 17% (within Milan), 20% (T1), 18% (BCLC-A), and 19% (AFP < 20 ng/mL) higher progression rates compared to albumin ≥ 3.4 g/dL. The gene discussed is ALB; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.