Serum levels of sCD25 and AFP. Values expressed as median ± standard deviation. (A) Serum sCD25 level in HCC patients (6,955 pg/ml) was significantly higher than levels manifested in NCs (2,098 pg/ml) and DCs (4,310 pg/ml; P<0.0001). (B) Serum AFP rose as liver disease worsened. DC patients had a median AFP concentration of 5.3 ng/ml and the median AFP level in HCC patients was 49.4 ng/ml. sCD25, soluble CD25; AFP, α-fetoprotein; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; NC, healthy control; DC, disease control.