HMGB1 could be protective or pathogenic at a cell level.52 Pro-tumour effects may result from impact on the stromal inflammatory microenvironment in cancer and through effects on tumour energy metabolism, tumour progression, tissue invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis.52 Anti-tumour effects could be a consequence from interaction with various tumour suppressor proteins such as retinoblastoma and p53. This evidence concerns the gene HMGB1 and cancer.