Moreover, validation of the multi-target panel (HOXA1, TSPYL5, plus AFP and sex) (Chalasani et al. 2022) Using an independent cohort of 156 HCC cases and 245 controls, the multiple target panel that combines methylated DNA markers and protein markers displayed similar performance (AUROC 0.86, sensitivity 72%, specificity 88%) for early-stage HCC diagnosis. Here, HOXA1 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.