Mechanically speaking, a large number of harmful mtDNA were released by ALDH2-deficient hepatocytes through EVs after chronic alcohol exposure, which could be transferred to adjacent HCC cells and subsequently activate multiple carcinogenic pathways such as c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), STAT3, B-cell lymphoma-2 and PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), thus promoting fibrotic liver injury and tumor growth 59. Here, ALDH2 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.