Clinical characteristics of subjects recruited in this study.

*Significant difference existed among all the four groups; HC, healthy control; NC, natural clearance subjects; HBV, hepatitis B virus patients; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma patients; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST: aspartate aminotransferase; ALB, albumin; TB, total bilirubin; TP, total protein; GGT, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. Continuous variables were described as median and interquatile range. Clinical characteristics of subjects recruited in this study.