The ALDH2 rs671 polymorphism is associated with the risk of HCC in patients with alcoholism with or without viral hepatitis18,19,20,21 and in patients without alcoholism.22,23 However, a meta-analysis24 showed that ALDH2 rs671 polymorphism is not associated with HCC susceptibility in most East Asian patients with HBV or hepatitis C virus. Here, ALDH2 is linked to alcohol dependence.