CHI3L1 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Thus, there is considerable interest in miRNAs as possible diagnostic biomarkers for various diseases, including HCC and MASLD, either alone or in combination with other disease-associated parameters.4, 5, 6, 7 For example, levels of miR-34-5p together with YKL-40 (chitinase-3-like protein 1) are monitored in the NIS2+TM panel to monitor MASLD progression.4