MBOAT7 and hepatocellular carcinoma: While the PNPLA3 variant was associated with HCC development in patients with (p = 0.011), but not in those without severe fibrosis (p = NS), the MBOAT7 T allele was associated with HCC in patients without (p < 0.001; Fig. 1b and Table 2), but not in those with (p = 0.55; Fig. 1c and Table 2) severe fibrosis.