Figure 3

Multivariate analysis by nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMS) ordination analysis in patients. NMS joint plot showing the separation of three distinct groups of patients along axes 1 and 2 based upon the data collected from gene expression. Different genes’ direction and power of correlation with axis 1 and 2 are demonstrated. Both CXCL2 and AFP might be considered as potential genes responsible for the groups’ separation. CXCL2 increased dramatically toward the noncancer group, while much less expression was shown in cancer patients. AFP increased dramatically toward the patients with late hepatic carcinoma and much less expression was shown with early cancer patients.