Hepatitis B virus x protein-induced AIM2 deficiency was associated with increased cell migration and invasion (13, 14).In contrast, AIM2 gene deletion resulted in reduced liver injury and tumor development in a diethylnitrosamine-induced mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma, suggesting that AIM2 plays a deleterious role in the development of HCC (15). The gene discussed is AIM2; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.