MAPK8 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Several important intracellular signaling pathways including the mitogen-activatedprotein kinases comprising the ERK, JNK and p38 have been recognized to beinvolved in hepatocarcinogenesis [3].In addition, several growth factors and angiogenic factors such as EGF andVEGF have been suggested to contribute to HCC [3].However, the molecular pathogenesis of HCC has not been well characterizedyet.