IKBKB and hepatocellular carcinoma: Interestingly, inhibition of NF-κB by IKK2 deficiency in the later stages of hepatocarcinogenesis also accelerated the development of HCC by promoting proliferation/survival of DEN-initiated hepatocytes and augmenting STAT3 activation.65 This data suggests that hepatocyte IKK2/ NF-κB prevented hepatocarcinogensis through inhibiting liver damage and hepatocyte proliferation.