While ZBP1/DAI and AIM2 receptor, adaptor molecule, and cytokine expression was comparable to those in PWHs using poly(dA:dT), IFI16 receptor pathway upregulation with HSV-60 revealed a somewhat lower IFN-β expression in hepatoma cells, suggesting a possible difference between healthy and malignant WHV-infected hepatocytes in regard to the downstream signaling of this receptor. Here, ZBP1 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.