Yen et al. have examined different signaling pathways related to the HBx-induced HCC development, as the overexpression of this protein lead to the upregulation of IκB kinase β (IKKβ), tuberous sclerosis complex 1 (TSC1) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in HCC cells. This evidence concerns the gene IKBKB and hepatocellular carcinoma.