Thus, we conclude that TNF-α promotes the growth of breast cancer through the positive feedback loop of TNFR1/NF-κB (and/or p38)/p-STAT3/HBXIP/TNFR1.Our finding provides new insights into the mechanism by which TNF-α drives oncoprotein HBXIP in the development of breast cancer. The gene discussed is STAT3; the disease is breast cancer.