The proteins that were up regulated in early HCC compared to cirrhotic were: AGT, APCS, APOA1, APOA2, APOA4, APOC3, APOM, ARFIP1, C1RL, CFHR3, CLU, CPN1, CPN2, DMRT2, F5, GC, HBA1, ITIH1, ITIH2, KLKB1, LRG1, OGT, PON3, PROS1, SAA4, SERPINA4, SERPINC1, SERPIND1, SPG11, TTR and VTN. This evidence concerns the gene ITIH1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.