PreS1 protein of HBV and core proteins of HCV induce LCSC production and self-renewal of tumor cells by stimulating c-Kit expression, accelerating HCC onset and progression.175–177 Aberrant crosstalk exists between SCF/c-Kit and other pro-cancer pathways like TGF-β/SMAD2, forming positive feedback loops promoting malignant cell proliferation and invasion.178. The gene discussed is KIT; the disease is cancer.