Although CTNNB1 mutation appears to be a late-stage event in the progression to HCC [56], the high rate of CTNNB1 mutations observed may be directly and causally related to the HCV infectious process as in vitro studies show that both acute and chronic HCV infections provoke specifically CTNNB1 mutations in hematological model systems and HCCs [78]. Here, CTNNB1 is linked to infection.