Methods and results: Bioinformatic approaches were employed for checking the expression of C1QBP in HCC patient samples and the association between C1QBP mRNA expression and survival rates of patients with HCC or the promoter methylation of C1QBP. MTT analysis, PI/Annexin V staining, transwell and metabolic flux assays were performed to examine the effects of C1QBP on proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and oxidative phosphorylation of HCC cells. Here, C1QBP is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.