Takaya H, Namisaki T, Kitade M, et al. - For the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients, researchers conducted a retrospective review of medical records to investigate the von Willebrand factor and ADAMTS13 [a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motifs 13] as potential biomarkers. The sample consisted of 61 consecutive individuals (aged ≥ 20 years) with cirrhosis, of whom 41 developed HCC and attended the Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan between April and November 2016. Investigators found that the von Willebrand factor: Ag and von Willebrand factor: Ag/ADAMTS13:AC ratios were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients with HCC vs those without HCC. On the other hand, ADAMTS13:AC was significantly lower in those with HCC vs those without HCC. Nevertheless, there was no association between the von Willebrand factor: Ag/ADAMTS13:AC ratio and serum tumor markers like alpha-fetoprotein, des-γ-carboxy prothrombin, and alpha-fetoprotein-L3%. For early diagnosis of HCC in cirrhotic patients, the von Willebrand factor: Ag/ADAMTS13:AC ratio can potentially serve as a novel biomarker.