AFP and hepatocellular carcinoma: Microbiota profiles have been linked to clinical-pathological characteristics of HCC patients, such as AFP, ALT, and AST levels, and have shown predictive value for HBV-related HCC microvascular invasion.559,560 Additionally, the presence of specific gut microbes, such as B. longum, has been associated with improved liver function recovery in HCC patients during the perioperative period.561