AFP and hepatocellular carcinoma: Next, correlation analysis of mRNA expression levels of BCLAF1 and clinicopathological features based on the TCGA dataset illustrated that high expression of BCLAF1 in HCC was correlated with advanced stage (Stage III), poorly differentiated grade (Grade 2), and higher alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels (Fig. 1m, n and Supplemental Table 1).