Based on adjusted OR (aOR), the strongest positive HCC markers adjusted for confounding factors were: DKK1 (aOR 1.73), HN1 (aOR 1.68), MSTN (aOR 1.64), SMAD3 (aOR 1.60), and PKM2 (aOR 1.58). Here, DKK1 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.