In addition, regulated by TNFα, Pim-2 proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (PIM2) was frequently upregulated in HCC and associated with poor prognosis of HCC patients and tumor recurrence (13). Further studies revealed that PIM2 could activate NF-κB signaling pathway through upregulating phosphorylation level of receptor-interacting protein kinase 2 (RIPK2) (13). Here, TNF is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.