In patients with unresectable HCC treated with Atz + Bev, an AFP ratio ≥ 1.4 or DCP ratio ≥ 1.0 at week 3 reliably identifies primary progression, while an AFP ratio ≥ 1.1 or DCP ratio ≥ 1.5 at week 9 predicts early progression among those who initially achieved disease control. This evidence concerns the gene AFP and hepatocellular carcinoma.