CASP3 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Finally, in similar conditions, Lim et al. reported the activation of caspase-3 in response to the expression of NS3-NS5B polyprotein in primary human hepatocytes (PHH) but not in hepatoma Huh7 cells, suggesting that Huh7.5, being tumor-derived cells, are more resistant to pro-apoptotic stimuli [21].