EGF and hepatocellular carcinoma: In order to evaluate the modulation of signaling pathways closely associated with HCC tumorigenesis by the subgenotype F1b clusters, the mRNA expression levels of 19 genes implicated in the cellular pathways: Wnt/β-Catenin, TGFβ, NF-κB, EGF, VEFG, cell cycling, apoptosis and DNA damage response, was assessed by RT-qPCR.