However, EGFR expression in HCC tumor tissue specimens was markedly higher relative to normal counterparts in our 240 paired HCC specimens (Fig. 2G), and EGFR was significantly increased at advanced pathological stage (cohort 1, Additional file 4: Fig. S3L; p = 0.0319), larger tumors (cohort 1, Additional file 4: Fig. S3M; p = 0.0346), and virus infection (cohort 1, Additional file 4: Fig. S3N; HBV: p = 0.0118, HCV: p < 0.0001, HBV + HCV: p < 0.0001). Here, EGFR is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.