Shen J, et al. - Researchers analyzed 953 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent hepatectomy in a West China Hospital between January 2009 and March 2015 to investigate the prognostic significance of serum hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) for patients with HCC using a propensity matching model. As per outcomes, risk factors for recurrence include positive serum HBeAg, positive HBV-DNA load, largest tumor size, multiple tumors, microvascular invasion, and a high serum level of preoperative alpha-fetoprotein. Propensity model established the negative impact of positive serum HBeAg on the recurrence and long-term survival, and this was irrespective of tumor stages. This suggests that for reducing the rate of recurrence, HBeAg seroconversion might be beneficial.