Analysis of gene expression regulation pathways identified 7 out of 17 HCC marker genes potentially subject to regulation by HCV proteins, of which four had unidirectionally altered (upregulated) expression in HCC patients and HCV-infected Huh 7.5 cells: cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A), flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1), DNA-binding protein inhibitor ID – 1 (ID1), and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). This evidence concerns the gene TERT and hepatocellular carcinoma.