Moreover, the results from a univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that age (≤ 60/ > 60 years; P < 0.001), AFP level (≤ 20/ > 20 ng/ml; P = 0.003), cirrhosis (negative/positive; P < 0.001), tumor size (≤ 5/ > 5 cm; P = 0.001), pathological stage (I-II/III-IV; P < 0.001) and STAG3 protein level (low/high; P < 0.001) were prognostic factors for OS in HCC patients. This evidence concerns the gene AFP and hepatocellular carcinoma.