Patients harbouring T1753C in BCP, T147C in CTL epitope of core and L213I mutation in surface were found more in HBeAg positive HCC than non-HCC cases (67% vs. 20%; 67% vs. 15% and 67% vs. 20% between HCC and non-HCC respectively). This evidence concerns the gene OPN1SW and hepatocellular carcinoma.