We found that TNFAIP8 not only promoted liver cancer cell survival/drug resistance but also increased cell/hepatic steatosis in alcoholic fatty liver diseases (AFLD) suggesting that TNFAIP8–autophagy may contribute to early liver cancer progression by modulation of hepatic steatosis in mice and in human patients. The gene discussed is TNFAIP8; the disease is alcoholic fatty liver disease.