TIPE2 mRNA was significantly downregulated in HCC patients compared with the levels in LC (0.45[0.30–0.61] vs. 1.74[1.34, 3.05], P < 0.05), CHB (0.45[0.30–0.61] vs. 2.1[1.24, 2.91], P < 0.05), and healthy controls (0.45[0.30–0.61] vs. 1.00[0.94, 1.33], P < 0.05) (Fig. 2a). Here, TIPE2 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.