Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections affect an estimated 71 million individuals worldwide. The virus establishes persistence in about 70% of cases and, in the majority, infections remain asymptomatic. However, persistent HCV infection causes profound alterations of hepatocytes’ physiological status including hepatosteatosis,1 altered expression of tumor suppressors,2 activation of oncogenic signaling cascades,3 and sustained chronic inflammation.4 In addition, cofactors such as the metabolic syndrome or alcohol abuse, are most likely the main contributors to severe liver damage in chronic hepatitis C patients who can develop liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).