For example, expression of oncogenic c-myc in p53-deficient HCC cells significantly accelerates the growth of tumour xenografts and promotes self-renewal ability in terms of enhanced spheroid formation and increased expression of stemness genes.43 The inactivation of p53 through a mutation-independent mechanism has also been suggested to support LCSC properties.44 Liu et al.44 reported that cellular p53 can be degraded and suppressed by mitophagy, a specialised type of autophagy that specifically clears away mitochondria. This evidence concerns the gene TP53 and neoplasm.