Additionally, some studies have shown that cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, and IL-6 are capable of inducing the expression of TIM-3 in HCC cells and TIM-3 accelerates tumor growth by the auto-secretion of IL-6 (120–122). The gene discussed is HAVCR2; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.