(37) studied the expression, function, and regulation of the Tim-3/galectin-9 pathway in patients with HBV-related HCC, founding that the interaction of Tim-3 and galectin-9 impaired T cell effector function in HCC, and Tim-3 expression was negatively correlated with clinical outcome in patients with HBV-related HCC. This evidence concerns the gene LGALS9 and hepatocellular carcinoma.