MAPK8 and hepatocellular carcinoma: For example, it has been shown that the TOR signaling pathway regulatory -like (TIPRL) is highly upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, inhibiting the TRAIL-induced apoptotic cascade by forming the MKK7/PP2Ac/TIPRL complex and blocking JNK phosphorylation, thereby promoting TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-induced ligand) resistance47.