Within these samples, DCLK1 protein levels were increased ~2.5-fold in patients with fibrosis (p value = 0.0018) or cirrhosis (p value = 0.0001), and in patients diagnosed with HCC, DCLK1 the serum level was ~2.0-fold greater (p value = 0.0005) when compared with controls with no known liver disease (Figure 1A). Here, DCLK1 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.