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Molinari et al. Hepatoma Res 2018;4:56 I http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2394-5079.2018.71 Page 13 of 15

Previous investigators have suggested that differences in the socioeconomic status might be responsible for
the lowest survival observed among African Americans. We recognize that there are many factors that were
not accounted in our analysis such as type of health care insurance, household income, serum alpha-feto-
protein, number and size of the largest tumor, cellular differentiation and vascular invasion. However, due to
similar oncological and socio-economic criteria equally applied across all ethnicities during the evaluation
and selection of LT recipients, there might be biological reasons, rather than socio-economic factors
responsible for the survival differences observed among ethnic groups undergoing LT for HCC.

DECLARATIONS
Authors’ contributions
Michele Molinari designed the study, performed the statistical analysis and wrote the manuscript, Allan
Tsung reviewed the statistical analysis and the manuscript, Subhashini Ayloo designed the study, reviewed
the manuscript and the statistical analysis, Patrick Bou Samra revised the manuscript and performed the
review of the literature, Naudia Jonassaint designed the study, reviewed the manuscript and the statistical
analysis.

Availability of data and materials
Data and materials are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Financial support and sponsorship
None.

Conflicts of interest
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest related to this study.

Ethical approval and consent to participate
Not applicable.

Consent for publication
Not applicable.

Copyright
© The Author(s) 2018.

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