The present invention includes compositions including a novel short isoform of Annexin A10, termed Annexin 10s (ANXA10s) and methods of use. The compositions include nucleic acid molecules encoding ANXA10s, ANXA10s polypeptides, ANXA10s amino acid sequences and derivatives or modifications thereof. Included in these methods are the interrelation of the aberrant expressions of AFP, OPN, and the novel liver specific short isoform, ANXA10s, at human Chromosome 4q in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aberrant expressions of AFP, OPN and ANXA10s are shown to act cooperatively toward advanced disease, which could be useful for diagnostic, molecular staging or treatment of a patient having HCC or at risk of developing HCC.