Notably, our identification of H3-5/H3F3C, H3C13/HIST2H3D, JUN, EGR1, NOTCH1, and SQSTM1/P62 as central hub genes unique to the COVID-19 signature links this pro-oncogenic state to a specific molecular target that regulates inflammation, autophagy, and cancer progression. The gene discussed is SQSTM1; the disease is COVID-19.