ADAR1 has been shown to be critical during cancer development via abnormal A-to-I RNA editing26 and this function in HCC has also been documented.18 Our results imply the AR/ADAR1/circRNA pathway is a novel functional consequence of ADAR1 expression in addition to A-to-I RNA editing, likely critical for HCC development. This evidence concerns the gene AR and hepatocellular carcinoma.