RAF1 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Besides, HCV may promote the development of HCC through several mechanisms, which include: (1) persistent liver inflammation and immune-mediated oxidative stress damage from a chronic viral infection; (2) metabolic reprogramming leading to steatosis that further progresses into fibrosis and HCC; (3) intracellular oxidative stress damage induced by viral proteins; and (4) deregulation of cell signaling pathways by viral protein (HCV core, NS3, and NS5 A/B) [14].