- Diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Biopsy is the preferred method of diagnosis (option 1). As far as clinically possible, the results of a biopsy should be obtained to confirm the diagnosis prior to the initiation of investigational product administration.. Non-biopsy criteria are allowed in cases where a biopsy result is unavailable and a biopsy procedure is not clinically indicated (option 2). (Option 1: Biopsy-proven HCC (histology or cytology); Option 2 - patient must fulfill the following criteria: i. Radiological evidence of HCC showing lesion arterial hypervascularity and venous phase washout by either dynamic (triple-phase), contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen OR dynamic (triple-phase) contrast (gadolinium)-enhanced MRI, AND ii. Serology positive for hepatitis B or C, AND iii. Alpha fetoprotein > 400 μg/L at the time of diagnosis.)