MCL1 and hepatocellular carcinoma: It is currently unclear whether bile salts also regulate Mcl-1 in HCC cells through a similar or distinct mechanism(s).The conjugated bile salt, glycochenodeoxyocholic acid (GCDA), has been reported to activate PI3K/AKT and MAPK ERK1/2 signaling pathways in association with increased survival and proliferation of SEG-1 cells (a Barrett's adenoma cell line) [24,25].