It has also been shown that HBV x protein (HBx) upregulates METTL3 expression, increases m6A modification of circRNA ARL3 (circ-ARL3), and circ-ARL3 antagonizes the repressive effect of miRNA 1,305 (miR-1305) on oncogenes, thereby promoting HBV + HCC progression, and targeting this pathway is a promising approach for treating HBV + HCC patients (Rao et al., 2021). This evidence concerns the gene PSMB5 and hepatocellular carcinoma.