As evidenced in previous studies, the MAPK pathway is implicated in HCC progression and activated in over 50% of HCC patients, suggesting a poorer prognosis 45; the NF-κB pathway is predominantly linked to inflammation, cell death, hepatocellular injury, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinogenesis 46; the PI3K pathway represents an important signaling mechanism responsible for regulating metabolism, proliferation and apoptosis in HCC. The gene discussed is NFKB1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.