Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the commonest liver cancer 1 and is one of leading cause of cancer-related mortality. According to reports, more than 600 000 people die of HCC each year. 2 The majority of HCC occurs in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, and it is more common in men rather than women. 3 Epidemiological and experimental studies have pointed out that the development of HCC may be caused and promoted by hepatitis B virus (HBV)