PNPLA3 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Genome studies have linked various Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms on genes such as Phospholipase domain-containing 3 (PNPLA3) and MBOAT7 that are associated with hepatic steatosis, fibrotic changes of the liver, and the acceleration of HCC development in patients with metabolic syndrome (i.e. insulin resistance, hypertension, obesity, etc.)5.