Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a deadly cancer worldwide characterized by a rising incidence and limited therapeutic options (1).HCC is associated with multiplerisk factors, including chronic hepatitis B and C (HBV/HCV), alcohol intake, aflatoxin B1 exposure, diabetes and obesity. In addition, liver carcinogenesis is a longand multistep process associated with the accumulation of multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations resulting in tumor heterogeneity (1).