EDN1 and hepatocellular carcinoma: In PBMCs, WNT10A, JUNB, EDN1 and SPHK1 were significantly upregulated, and KLF4 downregulated in chronic HCV and HCV-induced HCC patients, even post-SVR, supporting the concept of an HCV-induced “oncogenic memory.” Although minor differences in gene expression were observed between SVR patients with and without HCC, these were not statistically significant and likely represent background variability rather than a protective effect of DAAs.