HMGB1 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Furthermore, activation of the CaMKK/CaMK IV pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) leads to increased secretion of high-mobility group box 1, which significantly promotes the progression of HCC and leads to poor prognosis; in contrast, CaMKK/CaMK IV inhibitors can significantly reduce the invasion and metastasis of HCC cells in vitro (34).