However, HepaRG cells remain transformed hepatoma cells, which express at low level certain detoxifying proteins present in human hepatocytes, such as the cytochromes P-450 1A2, 2D6 and 2E1 and the drug transporters OATP1B3 (SLCO1B3) and bile salt export pump (BSEP/ABCB11). This evidence concerns the gene SLCO1B3 and hepatocellular carcinoma.