1.Background: Outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) depends mainly on its early diagnosis. The performance of traditional biomarkers is not satisfactory. Osteopontin (OPN) is of potential importance2.Objective: This study aims to assess the diagnostic value of plasma OPN compared with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for the diagnosis of HCV- related HCC3.Methods: Plasma levels of OPN and AFP will be measured in 40 Egyptian patients with hepatitis C virus-related liver cirrhosis (20with HCC, 20 without HCC) and 20 healthy controls