MAPK8 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Importantly, selective disruption of the IRE1α-ASK1-JNK axis of ER stress by the specific ASK1 or JNK inhibitor following IMB-6G treatment reduced the apoptosis in HCC cells, indicating the critical role of activation of IRE1α-ASK1-JNK signaling in response to IMB-6G treatment.