Training cohort: HCC vs. chronic hepatitis (Se/Sp, AUC): ENSG00000258332.1: 71.6%/83.4%, 0.72; LINC00635: 76.2%/77.7%, 0.75; AFP: 54.7%/75.3%, 0.67; All 3 markers: 83.6%/87.7%, 0.89 (p < 0.05 vs. AFP); Validation cohort: HCC vs. chronic hepatitis (Se/Sp, AUC): ENSG00000258332.1: 73.5%/80.5%, 0.72; LINC00635: 79.6%/75.2%, AUC, 0.73; AFP: 52.5%/74.1%, 0.63; All 3 markers 84.5%/85.3%, 0.89 (p < 0.05 vs. AFP). Here, AFP is linked to chronic hepatitis.