Analysisof the resulting gene network highlighted several DEGs,the products of which (including BCL2, NFKB1, FOXO1,MCL1, CDKN1A, ERBB2, IL8, and EGR1) exhibit significantconnectivity with components of the apoptosis network.Notably, some of these proteins (CDKN1A, ERBB2, IL8,EGR1) were not annotated in Gene Ontology as apoptosisparticipants, underscoring their potential novelty and importancefor understanding the mechanisms of programmed celldeath in HCC. This evidence concerns the gene MCL1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.