CASP9 and hepatocellular carcinoma: This counter mechanism promotes HCC progression by inducing cell cycle progression and inhibiting cell apoptosis (i.e., suppressing the expression of proapoptotic molecules such as caspase 9, caspase 3, PARP, Bcl-2-associated X protein, and cytochrome c but enhancing the expression of antiapoptotic molecules such as BCL2).