Finally, when assessing overall survival (OS) in HCC patients multivariate analysis showed that independent factors for shorter OS were increased MAGE-A1 (HR: 9.407, P: 0.048), high MAGE-A3 (HR: 9.199, P: 0.042) and elevation of both alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and MAGE-A3 (HR: 10.681, P: 0.039).<h4>Conclusion</h4>MAGE-A1 and A3 genes can be used as diagnostic and prognostic markers in HCC patients predicting therapeutic response and overall survival. The gene discussed is AFP; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.