TP53 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Various factors have been identified to contribute to the occurrence and progression of HCC, including the infection by hepatitis B or C virus, the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes such as p53, the abnormal activation of oncogenes such as K-ras and some signaling molecules such as PI3K, ERK/MAPK and Wnt/β-catenin as well as the evasion of the host immune system [3, 4].