To exert its antitumor activity, IFN-α may accelerate tumor necrosis factor-induced tumor cell apoptosis by upregulating Fas gene expression (61); however, opposing studies have demonstrated that pretreatment with IFN-α inhibits tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-mediated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation, thereby increasing the response of hepatoma cells to the TRAIL-induced apoptosis signal (62). This evidence concerns the gene IFNA2 and hepatocellular carcinoma.