Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), AFP-L3, glypican-3 (GPC3) and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) are important markers for the diagnosis and prognostication of HCC, but the sensitivity and specificity are limited (Cai et al., 2019; Choi et al., 2019). This evidence concerns the gene ACE and hepatocellular carcinoma.