A similar study by Tong MJ et al. [115] recruited 146 HBeAg-negative CHB patients with normal ALT levels and HBV DNA ≤ 10 × 103 IU/mL and followed them for 8 ± 6.3 years; none of the patients progressed to liver cirrhosis, and only 2 developed HCC. This evidence concerns the gene GPT and hepatocellular carcinoma.