While it has been reported that hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) may affect the occurrence of HCC through DNMT3L [29] and DNMT3L may regulate TNFRSF12A methylation, affecting the occurrence, development and prognosis of HCC [30], the specific mechanism by which DNMT3L contributes to the growth and metastasis of HCC remains unclear. This evidence concerns the gene TNFRSF12A and hepatocellular carcinoma.